by Craig Zerf
‘That’s us, sir. These two youngsters are Lonny and Donny. Twins. Teamed up with them after we met back in Devon.’
The twins mumbled their greetings.
‘So then’ continued Axel. ‘What have you all been up to of late and what brings you here, to the Abbey?’
‘Simply looking for a place to belong, sir,’ answered Jack. ‘Become a little tired of wandering, living off the land.’
‘And you two,’ enquired Axel of the twins. ‘You look a little young to have grown tired of anything. And where are your parents, your family?’
‘Parents are dead, sir,’ answered Donny. ‘No brothers or sisters. No other relatives as far as I know. Just us.’
‘And how did you all meet?’
The twins stood silently, a slightly panicked look on their faces. Jack simply stood at ease, his features blank. Expressionless.
‘Come on then,’ continued Axel. ‘Out with it. We’re all friends here and friends don’t keep secrets.’
Jack spoke first. ‘We were burning down an Orc armory, sir.’
‘Axel raised an eyebrow. ‘What, all of you?’
‘Well not initially,’ continued Jack. ‘I went into the garrison with intent to burn the armory down and I met these two already inside the wall. They were carrying a sack full of rotten rats. They were going to chuck them down the well. Poisoning the water.’
Axel laughed. ‘Not a bad plan. Might have worked.’
Jack nodded. ‘Might have, if they didn’t get caught. Anyhow, I convinced them to join me and we torched the place and ran. Been together ever since.’
‘Well met then, I say,’ said Axel. ‘Gentlemen, there is definitely a place for you all here at the Abbey. We shall supply a digs, probably shared and there is plenty of work. There are no idle hands in the Abbey, we work hard and look out for each other. I’ll have the guard show you to the guest rooms. I have a couple of old friends staying there at the moment but there is room enough for all and I am sure that you’ll get on. It’s an old lady, name of Gramma Higgins, show her a shed load of respect and she may not beat you to death. Also her daughter, Janeka. Nice girl.’
Axel walked to the door and bellowed for the guard who came running.
‘Jakobs,’ he said. ‘Take these gentlemen to the guest rooms. Introduce them to Gramma and make sure they are fed and watered.’
The guard ripped off a crisp salute and motioned for the trio to follow him.
Axel closed his door without a farewell.
***
Jack pushed his plate away, leant back in his chair and belched softly. The twins sniggered.
‘Sorry,’ apologized the ex-soldier. ‘It’s just that I haven’t eaten that well in years. Literally.’
Gramma Higgins laughed. ‘Dat be fine, child,’ she said. ‘Always better out dan in, I always say. Better out dan in. Janeka,’ she shouted for her daughter. ‘Bring da brandy and some glasses for da boys.’
Janeka came in from the kitchen carrying a bottle and four mugs. She set them down on the table and poured a generous measure of spirits into each one, passing one to her mother, one to Jack and the other two for the twins.
‘So you boys planning on settling down here?’
Jack nodded. ‘Seems like a nice enough place. Our second choice really. We actually wanted to find the Free State.’
‘Yeah,’ laughed Donny. ‘You know the one that’s ruled over by an immortal king who wields and axe and can make lightening.’
The three men laughed.
‘Oh, you be talking about Nathaniel,’ said Gramma. ‘American. He be called The Forever Man by some. Nice man but you don’t want to get on his bad side. Saw him once, he brung down a lightning storm so fierce it almost burned an entire forest to da ground. Ain’t dat so, Janeka?’
The daughter nodded. ‘That’s right, mama. But he was in a trance or something at the time; I believe that part of him traveled back in time to the Druidic days or something. Can’t rightly remember, truth be told. It was over twenty years ago.’
‘We see’d him again, couple of years ago. He’d been away for twenty years, back in time. Fighting the Romans I do believe, but he didn’t look a day older.’
Janeka nodded in agreement. ‘Not one day. A few more scars and a long beard but not a second older.’
Gramma took a sip of her brandy. ‘He was king Arthur, you know? He sure does get around dat boy. He sure does.’
The three friends stared at Gramma and her daughter, their mouths open, faces pictures of almost comically amazement.
Then Jack started to laugh. ‘Good one, Gramma,’ he said. ‘Had us going there. Very funny.’
Gramma shook her head and gave the ex-soldier a stern look. ‘Don’t you go calling me and my kin liars, you hear, boy,’ she admonished. ‘We be telling da truth da whole truth an nutting but da truth, so help me.’
‘Really?’
‘Really,’ insisted Gramma.
‘So then,’ continued Jack. ‘Where is this Forever Man and his Free State?’
‘It be da other side of the wall. Hadrian’s Wall. If you can get through the Orc patrols without being caught then those folks will welcome you wid open arms. Or so I’m told. Me, I is content wid my life. De Fair-Folks and de Worthies leave me well enough alone and I pretty much ignores dem. I’s too old to change and go gallivanting off to new worlds and whatever. But you boys is young. Mayhap you give it a try.’
Jack nodded. ‘Mayhap we will, Gramma. Mayhap we will.’
Chapter 8
The class of children stood up as Nathaniel entered the room. The class consisted of children of mixed ages from seven to seventeen, both male and female. But they all had two things in common. Firstly, they were all born after the pulse and, secondly, Gogo had deemed that they all had “Talent”. How she decided this was beyond Nathaniel but he trusted her judgment implicitly. After all, she had been the accepted wisdom of the walking folk led by Papa Dante for more years than anyone could remember and if her wisdom was good enough for Papa, then it was good enough for the marine.
‘Greetings, Free people,’ greeted Nathaniel.
‘Good morning king Nathaniel,’ they greeted back.
The marine raised his right fist in the air. ‘Oorah!’ He shouted.
The children did the same, raising their clenched fists and yelling out the marine war cry at the top of the lungs.
‘OORAH!’
Nathaniel grinned, gave them a thumbs up and followed Gogo from the room, leaving them to practice their concentration exercises while she and Nathaniel talked.
‘How goes it, Gogo?’ He asked.
‘Slowly,’ said the old blind lady. ‘They all have the talent, some stronger than others, but it has been many years since I have taught anyone. And even then it was different. There is no doubt that every one of these children are naturally stronger than me when it comes to the magik. But getting it out of them is a bit of trial and error and I have to be careful, one doesn’t want too many errors. Who knows what could happen if someone inadvertently threw a fireball or bolt of lightning at another student.’
Nathaniel laughed. ‘That is very true, Gogo. I shudder to think what I might have got up to if I had been a teenager capable of setting the classroom on fire with thought.’
‘It’s no laughing matter, marine,’ scolded Gogo. ‘With all that testosterone and female hormones running riot I have to keep a very careful eye on them.’
Nathaniel nodded his understanding.
‘I saw Rosie O’ Donell yesterday. Do you remember me talking about her?’
Nathaniel wrinkled his brow in thought. ‘Is she the young girl with two children already?’
‘Aye, that’s the one. A son and a daughter. Four years and three years, both second generation post-pulse. Her husband was also born post-pulse. Anyway, the kiddies already show great talent. I can feel it in them. It’s uncanny. I think that, as more second generation post-pulsers come into the world we are going to see huge
changes. Already the wheel is turning, time is being reeled back in and we find ourselves being drawn into an older age.’
‘I am not sure what you mean, Gogo,’ admitted Nathaniel.
‘Magik, my king,’ said Gogo. ‘Look around you, what do you see?’
Nathaniel looked. ‘People. Soldiers in armor, houses, horses.’
‘Like we have gone back in time to the middle ages.’
‘Yes,’ admitted Nathaniel. ‘But that is because of the pulse. It has nothing to do with magik.’
‘You think not?’ Insisted Gogo. ‘Pray then, marine, tell me one thing – why are you called king?’
Nathaniel shrugged and then remembered that Gogo could not see. ‘Who else would be king. I asked not for the role, the role chose me. Perhaps no one else could do it.’
‘I would not argue against that, marine,’ said Gogo. ‘You are the only one who could fill the role; it was something that you were destined to do from the moment that you were born. But you did not answer my question. I asked why are you called king. Why not prime minister or president or even general or chief? Why king?’
‘I know not, Gogo. It simply seemed the correct form of address to adopt. People simply called me, king.’
‘Aye,’ agreed the old lady. ‘And the way you talk now. The way everybody talks. Haven’t you noticed the subtle differences to the past?’
‘Again, Gogo, I am not completely sure about what you refer to.’
‘Formality,’ said Gogo. ‘Sentence structure is changing. When people see each other they no longer say, “Yo” and high five each other. They say, “Greetings, sir” and “I bid you farewell, my lady”. As I said, the wheel is turning and time is returning to an older period. Technology will not work again for many hundreds, perhaps thousands of years. Magik will grow until it reigns supreme. We will return to the days of Merlin, of druids and sorcerers, of mages and wizards. Mark my words, king; the future is the past that is the future. Remember that well when you and your advisers plan humanities way forward. This is merely the very beginning of what will be a very long trip for you, Forever Man.’
Before Nathaniel could say anything he was interrupted by Tad, who ran up to the two of them in obvious consternation.
‘Greetings, Gogo,’ he said. ‘My king,’ he continued. ‘Sorry to barge in like this, but there is someone here that you need to see. He has just arrived this morning, on horseback and accompanied by two others. I have them waiting at your residence, boss.’
Nathaniel bowed floridly to Gogo. ‘With your leave, my lady,’ he said with a grin. ‘I need to se to this. But I will think on what you said.’
‘Gogo waved him away. ‘Go. And don’t forget to practice your control exercises. You too have much to learn about the talent.’
Nathaniel followed the fast walking Tad.
‘What gives, little big man?’ He asked.
‘It’s a bit of an unbelievable story. You need to hear it yourself. This old guy came galloping in here with two younger escorts. The old guy has been quite severely wounded but he said that he had to see you to report in person. Said that he owed it to Effemy, whoever that might be.’
When they got to Nathaniel’s residence the three men were waiting in the entrance hall. Chairs had been provided but they had elected to stand. They drew themselves to attention as the marine entered the hallway.
‘Please, good people,’ said Nathaniel.’ Be at ease. Come, follow me to my study. Tad, organize some refreshments, water, fruit juice, some bread and cheese. Also some brandy. Many thanks.’
Tad hurried off to do Nathaniel’s bidding and the three men followed the marine down the hallway to his study. Nathaniel sat in wingback chair and gestured for the others to sit on the sofas opposite him.
‘Right gentlemen,’ he said. ‘Talk to me.’
‘My king,’ began the older wounded man. ‘My name is Angus Hume. I live in the fishing village of Portavaddie.’
‘I have heard of it,’ said Nathaniel. ‘Much of our fish oil for the lamps comes from there.’
A flicker of pride sparked in Angus’ eyes and he nodded. Aye, it would. We do…did…good quality fish oil.’
‘You say, did,’ enquired the marine.
‘Yes, my king. The truth of the matter is – Portavaddie is no more. Three days ago we were attacked by raiders. They came from across the Irish Sea in craft that skimmed across both ice and water. Armed with spears and sword were they. Well drilled and merciless. We fought as hard as we could, my lord, but only I and little Effemy lived. They slaughtered everybody else. They killed, they raped and they plundered all that we had of value and then they left. I only survived because they took me for dead. Effemy hid under the hay and they missed her. I came to tell my king, as quickly as I could. The neighboring villages have started a town watch, sire. But we are mere fishermen. These raiders were trained warriors and I fear, that if…nay, when they strike again, the result will be just as horrific.’
The old man went down on one knee. ‘Help us, my king. I beg of you.’
Nathaniel got to his feet. ‘Stand, brave Angus of Portavaddie. You have shown great courage and fortitude. And I tell you this, there is no need to beg protection from me. I shall ride within the day with a full battle group and I swear to you, Angus Hume of Portavaddie, the Free People will be protected and we shall exact retribution on these so-called raiders.'
Angus grasped Nathaniel’s hand and kissed it, tears rolling down his wrinkled cheeks. ‘Thank you, lord. Thank you.’
‘Now rest, all of you,’ continued Nathaniel. ‘Tad will be back shortly with sustenance. I want you all to eat your fill and then rest. You will achieve nothing if you all pass out from exhaustion. Worry not. I shall wake you before we leave.’
Angus stayed kneeling on the floor and the two younger men bowed deeply as Nathaniel left the room, closing the door behind him.
Chapter 9
Axel leant back in his chair and smiled. ‘Yes,’ he confirmed. ‘All of those stories that Gramma and Janeka told you are true. And there are more. I saw him almost single handedly take out over fifty well-armed, highly dangerous enemies. Okay, he did have a machine gun and a pistol, but the last dozen or so he dispatched with an axe. It was like watching a hurricane destroy an island. Elemental.’ Axel shook his head. ‘Never seen anything like it before or since.’
‘We would all very much like to go to the Free State, sir,’ said Jack.
Axel nodded. ‘And I have no doubt that you would do very well there. Life is hard but fair and simple. However, there is every chance that, in the foreseeable future, the Fair-Folk will declare out and out war with the free State. If so, king Nathaniel will find himself attempting to repel over two million Orcs and goblins as well as the power of the Fair-Folk mages. You may very well find that you have jumped from the frying pan into the proverbial fire. What then?’
‘We would fight,’ said Jack and the twins added their approval. ‘Anyway, Gramma told us that he had already fought the Fair-Folk once and won against overwhelming odds.’
‘That is true,’ admitted Axel. ‘But he took them by surprise. And they did not press the attack. Imagine fighting that same battle…then imaging extending it out for another month. Two months. A year. Do you still think that he might win?’
Jack shrugged. ‘With all due respect, sir, a soldier does not fight merely because he thinks that he will definitely win. Winning is not the be all and end all, sir. We would fight even if we knew that we would lose. We would fight because we are human. They are not. And who knows what might happen. We might win.’
‘And if it were anyone else that we were talking about I would laugh in your face, corporal,’ said Axel. ‘But, when it comes to The Forever Man, all things are possible.’
‘So, sir,’ continued Jack. ‘Will you help the boys and me to get there?’
‘I will, soldier, I will. But before you set off please let me put forward a proposal. And in no way must you feel under any pressure,
I am proposing, not commanding.’
Jack nodded. ‘Go ahead, sir.’
‘Why wait? Why not start to fight right now. Right here?’
‘I’m sorry, sir,’ responded Jack. ‘I’m not sure that I understand.’
‘I am sure that you agree with me when I say that, ultimately, war against the Fair-Folk is inevitable. Normally I wouldn’t speak so freely but, knowing your background I feel that I can.’
Jack nodded. The country is big enough for all of us but I’m not sure the Free-Folk see it that way, so, yes. Ultimately war is inevitable,’ agreed Jack.
‘So why should we wait for them to strike?’ Asked Axel.
‘Because to strike now would be premature, sir. They would obliterate us. It makes no military sense whatsoever.’
‘I agree, corporal. But I’m not talking about open warfare. What I’m talking about is merely an increase in what you have already been doing. Sabotage, subterfuge. Wrecking communications, firing armories, poisining grain stores, setting booby traps. A constant low level campaign to make the country ungovernable.’
Jack sat in silence for a while as did the twins. Eventually he spoke. ‘There would be reprisals,’ he said.
‘Against who,’ retaliated Axel.
‘Anyone,’ said Jack. ‘Everyone. The pig faces would go mental. Public hangings, floggings.’
‘Is that a bad thing?’ Questioned the captain.
‘It is if you’re the poor bugger being hung,' answered Jack.
‘I know this sounds harsh,’ said Axel. ‘But, in the long run, it would stiffen human resolve. It would turn the fence sitters and invigorate the masses. Sometimes sacrifices need to be made. Jack, I want to put you in charge of a new branch of my army. A new SBS if you would. Young, keen men who will put themselves on the line for the sake of humanity and its future. Will you do it?’
‘Is this The Forever Man’s idea, sir,’ enquired jack.
Axel shook his head. ‘It’s not really the way that he thinks. If I proposed this to him he would insist on trying to do it all himself. And then he would run around the country personally attempting to save everyone who got involved with the scheme. Like a tornado ripping through a wheat field, he would leave a path of destruction behind him that would far exceed the damage that he was trying to prevent in the first place. Like I said before – he is an elemental force, there is little subtlety about him.’
