Becoming

by Chris Ord

The trees spread out from the base of the valley and stretched up the hill. The group snaked around a bend and saw the battered ruins of a castle in a field the other side of the river. The stone walls stood astride a mound of earth that capped a hill. The mound was smooth and even, and the walls once a majestic golden stone were now stained with centuries of weather. In each corner was a turret in varying states of decay, the stonework had thin slats spread along the wall. The entrance was now a gaping hole where the gate and portcullis once stood. Gaia soaked up the view so typical of this part of the world. The rugged, untamed beauty of nature alongside relics of man’s fallen past. While the group stood in awe, Yann broke the silence.

  ‘That’s some building. Are we heading up there?’

  Everyone looked to Aran, still seeing him as leader, but Gaia was worried about him. Aran had struggled all day. They had all been tired, but Freya had given everyone some herbal potions, mixed with plants she was gathering on their way. Freya was demonstrating her knowledge and training with a typical absence of fuss. The homemade medicines were working on Gaia and Yann. He had floated through the day as if the spiders had never happened. For Gaia, the aches had dissolved and her body returned to some normality. Though Gaia’s strength was returning, she needed frequent rest. They all did. Sleep was an imperative now, and the shelter of the castle was inviting.

  Aran had wilted since the spiders. His grit and determination, the resolve he had shown in the early hours of the escape had been sucked from him. Aran’s shoulders hung in silent despair. He had said nothing all day, on a couple of occasions stopping and moving out of sight to vomit. All benefit from the food and tonics were being purged from Aran’s weakened body at the time he needed them most. Freya had taken his place at the front and now led the group. Everyone waited for the others to respond to Yann’s question. They all wanted to go to the castle, but it was Gaia who took the initiative and responded.

  ‘I think we should. We need to rest tonight, and the castle looks a good place to shelter.’

  Yann continued to look at Aran for a response, but Aran’s head remained bowed in silence. Gaia stared at Freya, and waited. Freya shook herself from her exhausted daze and spoke.

  ‘I agree with Gaia. We need to sleep. I’m shattered. The only problem I can see is the castle is on the other side of the river. We might not be able to get across. We’ll also have to go through the woods to get over. We all know that isn’t a good idea.’

  Gaia pointed in the direction they had come.

  ‘I spotted an area back there. We passed it a few minutes ago. The trees thinned out. I couldn’t see the river, but we’re quite a way up the valley now. I don’t think it’ll be that wide this far up.’

  Gaia had edged closer to Freya and was speaking in a low voice, dropping it to a whisper.

  ‘I’m worried about Aran. Look at him. He needs sleep, desperately.’

  Yann was with Aran behind Gaia and Freya. Yann had lain on the grass. Aran had sunk to the floor, one knee on the ground, gasping for air. Aran gave a gagging sound and threw up on the grass. Freya looked at Gaia and frowned. Freya addressed the group, her voice more commanding.

  ‘We’ll head up to the castle, eat and rest there for the night. We all need to sleep.’

  Yann sat up and nodded. Aran wiped his mouth, struggling to his feet. Yann jumped up, helping Aran stand, taking his weight. Yann frowned.

  ‘That sounds good to me. I’m starving. Have we anything better than those biscuits we’ve been eating all day?’

  Aran and Yann shuffled towards the girls. Aran’s face was ashen, and as he spoke his voice was throaty and cracked.

  ‘We can’t stop. We need to keep moving. We’ve lost too much time. They’ll be on us soon.’

  Gaia grabbed Aran by the arm and looked in his eyes. They were dull, lifeless without any sparkle. His breathing was laboured.

  ‘Listen Aran. You’re weak and need to rest. If they were following us they’d have caught us by now. You were right. They’ve probably gone straight to the hills or taken the southern river. They’ve got to be ahead of us now. They’ll be waiting somewhere up ahead. If they are we’re going to need all our wits to avoid them, or strength to take them on. Tonight we rest, no arguments.’

  Aran frowned, a look of resignation in his face. Gaia was right. He was exhausted and desperate for food. There was a burning ache in his stomach, mixed with the spasms of sickness. If they group did not do something now Aran could spiral into something deeper and much worse, illness which might cripple him for days. Aran sensed he might be on the verge of a fever. Freya was skilled, trained in basic medical care and could help him. Freya knew what was needed, but he had to work with, not fight her. Gaia simply cared. Aran could see the concern in her face, he had no choice but to trust the others.

  ‘You’re right. We’re going to need all our strength. OK, let’s head for the castle.’

  The group doubled back a short distance until they reached an area where the trees thinned, and there was mostly undergrowth and bushes. They moved down the hill towards the river. As they neared, the refreshing sound of the water’s gentle flow could be heard. The soothing trickle gave the group a momentary lift, and they were buoyed further seeing it was shallow and easy to cross. Further up the river a long legged bird stood in the water near the bank. Standing proud and majestic with a narrow pointed bill, feathers a mix of grey and with flecks of black. The bird searched the water looking for food, waiting to pounce. Gaia was trying to recall the name of the bird, but as if Yann had read her mind he spoke.

  ‘It’s a heron.’

  Yann had surprised them all with his knowledge of local wildlife. Often he would spurt out the name of a bird that flew past, or a creature that shot across their path. These were the only words Yann would utter for hours at a time as he sailed along without a care. The heron stood silent and alert, oblivious to the group’s fleeting presence.

  They moved up the hill on the other side and soon approached the castle. It was larger and more imposing than Gaia had first thought. The distance had fooled her. The walls were high, thick and solid in places, crumbling with neglect and decay in others. The castle was surrounded by a deep moat long since dried up, and a ridge of inclining earth led to the entrance. The sun was setting below the western horizon. From their high vantage point Gaia could see the blazing fiery ball as it plunged into the hills that lay beyond. It would be dark soon, and the group would need to move to find a place within the castle. Somewhere safe where they could huddle together and keep warm. The clear skies promised another freezing night.

  As they moved Gaia could see small, darting flashes zipping past. At first she heard the swishing noise as the shadows hurtled close. Gaia noticed the tiny black creatures in the air. They looked like birds, but she realised they were bats. Gaia saw the images of the night birds in her mind. They had not appeared for days, not since the escape from the island. Perhaps they only lived on the island? Nothing would surprise Gaia. Nature had been thrown into turmoil and chaos reigned.

  The group entered the open central part of the castle, a large grassy area littered with the remains of walls. The rubble was a sad reminder of the pomp and majesty that once would have graced the building. The castle was centuries old, with no purpose or use for many years. Gaia spotted a sign to the right, and moved to read it. The sign was faded and covered in a mixture of moss, muck and rust. Gaia could just make out two of the words.

  ‘It says Norham Castle. Anyone heard of it?’

  The others all shook their heads. Yann had climbed over one of the crumbling areas of wall and was on his knees peering down at something.

  ‘Look here.’

  They all moved to where Yann was kneeling. There was a circular hole covered in a criss cross of iron bars. Yann was leaning on the bars and staring into the depths below. Yann hollered into the hole, his voice echoing in the cavernous depths.

  ‘What do you reckon this is? A well? Some underground storage?’
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  Aran answered.

  ‘It’s a dungeon. They put prisoners in there. The bars meant people could either feed them or throw stuff at them. Usually they’d get showered in shit.’

  Yann jumped up and looked at his gloves, wiping them on the back of his trousers, his face twisted in disgust. Freya spoke.

  ‘We need to find somewhere to bed down. Best to avoid anywhere indoors if we can. The stone walls make the rooms freezing and we can’t risk a fire.’

  Freya found a small area which had been dug out, and perhaps had once been a room or dwelling. It offered good shelter, and the group could huddle together under their blankets for extra warmth. They ate a supper of cheese, bread, and fruit, and each drank some of Freya’s tonic. She had made a special batch for Aran and assured him the drink would kill the last remains of poison. Freya guaranteed Aran would feel more refreshed in the morning. Gaia hoped she was right. They settled down for the night under their makeshift bed, smothered in layers of blankets. The moon was still full in the sky, and had not begun to wane yet. Its light dissolved some of the splendour of the stars, though together they still provided a wonderful spectacle of millions of flickering lights. Gaia, Yann, and Freya took it in turns to take a few hours of watch. Despite Aran’s protests the others all agreed that he needed a full night of sleep to recover. They did not need a passenger, but needed Aran fitter and more alert.

  The night passed without note or incident. Gaia took the first watch and spent her time analysing the shapes on the moon, its mysterious face, and admiring its silent beauty. For millions of years it had orbited the earth, providing stability and balance as it spun. The moon controlled the tides, therefore they had it to thank for being here. The tides had been key to their escape, as had the moon’s light. In a way the moon had colluded with them, a secret fifth member. However, in its light there was also a darkness. The speed which the tides had risen had led to the death of Clara. The moon had given the group a chance of a new life, but had also taken one.

  Freya took over from Gaia who settled into a deep, uninterrupted sleep. Her exhaustion meant she soon drifted despite the cold biting at her face and ears, and feet that refused to warm. Gaia lay next to Aran, snuggled in close and placed her arm over him, feeling the steady hypnotic pulse of his breathing. It was soft and comforting. This night he did not whimper, nor was he restless and fidgety. He was more peaceful and at ease, the combination of exhaustion and Freya’s potion was working.

  It was good for Aran that he was no longer carrying all the burden of responsibility. The mental impact had added to his troubles. The group still faced dangers, many unknown, but the biggest were the hunters waiting somewhere up ahead. The outcome of that encounter would determine the group’s fate. The night was cold, but being near to Aran, and feeling his body close warmed Gaia. She wanted to nurse Aran, let him know she was there and would look out for him. They were all in this together, but Gaia was only there because of Aran. Whatever freedom meant, whatever awaited, Gaia wanted Aran to be a part of her future.

  14

  Gaia woke early with Aran still sound asleep beside her. Freya was eating breakfast with a blanket wrapped around her. The clear night had brought a crisp frosty morning with a sprinkling of white dust across the grass. The sun was already beginning its slow rise, but was still low and not yet sharing its gentle warmth. There was a golden red hue in the sky, and just a smattering of wispy cloud. The castle walls cast an array of shadows, and all was quiet, even the birdsong was absent. Gaia sat opposite Freya who was picking at her food.

  ‘Good morning.’

  ‘Hi. You feeling better?’

  ‘Much better thanks. I don’t know what you put in those concoctions, but they work.’

  Freya laughed. Never the most jovial, even Freya had been more preoccupied since the spiders. As the others recovered Freya had taken on the role of leader. She was comfortable with that, but it presented a challenge. Freya did not show emotion unless it was necessary. The distractions of motivating the others, nursing them back to health, finding the plants and herbs to make her tonics had crowded her mind. Gaia was pleased Freya was showing signs of thawing. Freya whispered, conscious of Aran still sleeping.

  ‘There’s nothing to them really. It’s just knowing what to look for and how to put them together. It’s surprising how much is out there.’

  ‘It’s obviously a specialist role they’ve been preparing you for.’

  ‘Yes. I was singled out with a few others for the training. It’s mostly natural remedies, but also general healthcare, and dealing with breaks and injuries. I’d have been sent to work for medical support in the haven once I’d become.’

  They were both struck by the same realisation that their becoming would no longer happen. Unless they were caught, then it was likely they would be expelled or worse. Gaia had not known any that had escaped return. No-one spoke of them or what became of them. They had crossed a line. They were free now and Gaia shook the thought of capture and its consequences from her mind. Gaia noticed Yann was missing.

  ‘Where’s Yann?’

  ‘He’s exploring the castle. He was on last watch, but was still pretty chirpy when I woke and went off soon after he ate.’

  ‘Here he comes now!’

  Yann was running across the open area, sprinting, a look of alarm on his face. He stopped, struggled to speak and catch his breath.

  ‘You need to come with me. I’ve something to show you.’

  Freya jumped up, and Gaia followed. Freya spoke.

  ‘What is it?’

  ‘Just come with me.’

  Gaia looked at Aran.

  ‘Wait, what about Aran?’

  Freya and Yann were already gone, leaping over the ruins of the internal walls. Gaia was hesitant, wrestling with the urge to follow and the guilt at leaving Aran alone. Gaia scanned the area. There was nothing, not even a sound. The other two were out of view. Something snapped, the training took over and Gaia set off in pursuit. Yann and Freya were at the far end of the outer walls, they had stopped running. Yann was crouched in front, finger placed on his lips. Freya waited, Yann disappeared into the ground and Freya followed. As Gaia neared there were stone steps descending into the darkness. She tiptoed down the steps into a freezing cold cellar. The only light came from three holes in the ceiling spread around the room. Gaia could see Freya and Yann in the shadows, standing over something, both looking at the ground. Gaia approached. At their feet was a giant rat. It was dead, a hole through its skull and another in its back. The wounds were fresh, and blood seeped from them. Freya and Yann were staring at it, looking for any final signs of movement, making sure the creature was dead. Yann whispered

  ‘I found it just before. It was sleeping down here. I managed to kill it before it woke. I’ve checked, but can’t find any others.’

  Freya stepped away, whispering as she combed the darkness.

  ‘They’re social. There’ll be others, so we need to make a move and get out of here as soon as we can. Let’s get back and leave.’

  They made their way back up the staircase, the freshness of the morning air hitting them as they left the underground chamber. They jogged back towards where Aran was sleeping, and Gaia woke him. Freya was agitated, keen to move, struggling to contain her concern.

  ‘Come on Aran. We need to get going.’

  ‘Can’t I get something to eat?’

  ‘We haven’t got time. You can eat on the road. Come on, we’ll explain later.’

  ‘Is there a problem?’

  Gaia tried to allay any panic.

  ‘No, it’s fine Aran. Have something quick while we pack.’

  Gaia cast a glance at Freya who began to pick up the blankets. Aran seemed better, physically and mentally. The tonics and full night of rest had given him some colour. He was more alert, and eager to get on with things. Gaia passed Aran some fruit while the other two packed. Gaia kept watch, peering out just above the wall that surrounded the small, sheltered pit.
Just as they had packed away, Gaia noticed something in the far corner of the grounds. There was a movement, something large and black.

  At first Gaia could see only one, but more rats appeared. It looked as though the creatures were rising up from the depths of the earth, from an underground cellar where they had been sleeping and were now awakening. The rats would be hungry and desperate. The group were concealed in the pit, safe from view, but trapped. Any attempt to leave would be noticed. There was no way the group would make it to the gateway without being seen. The rats were much nearer to the entrance, and the creatures would be upon Gaia and the others in no time, heading the group off before they got near to escaping. Gaia turned, caught the attention of the others and beckoned them over.

  ‘Look. Over there.’

  Freya surveyed the area, clicking into survival mode, instincts taking control, calm and measured and searching for a solution. The group would need to act, and Freya had spotted the best option and without hesitation had a plan.

  ‘The turret over there. We’ll make a run for that. There’s a door, hopefully it’s open.’

  Yann nodded.

  ‘It is. I was in there this morning. There’s a bolt on the inside.’

  ‘What’s in there?’

  ‘A staircase leading to a platform.’

  Freya kept probing Yann, the plan unfolding for the others. It soon became clear what Freya had in mind.

  ‘How high’s the drop from the other side?’

  ‘It’s high. You’re not thinking of jumping?’

  ‘What’s down there, rocks, grass?’

  Yann was starting to panic being sprayed with the volley of questions. His mind did not function this way. He liked time to think, to breath, but the group had little.

  ‘I don’t recall exactly. I think it’s just grass, heather, maybe a few rocks. It’s risky. I wouldn’t want to jump it from that height.’

  Gaia and Aran kept watching the rats. The larger ones were lying in the sun, the younger ones were fighting. There were about ten, five adults. Even the younger ones were large, and would prove formidable in a fight. There were too many to take on without risk. The group were still weak, and escape was the best option, any confrontation a last resort. Aran studied the turret Freya had spotted for the escape. He spoke.