by Chrys Cymri
‘That is the hope.’ The dragon swung his head back towards the gate. ‘Do you need access to the cathedral? So that you may return to your country through the crossing there?’
The thin place would lead to Nenehampton Cathedral, about a thirty-minute drive from Tattenhoe Abbey. And my car was at the wrong end of that journey. ‘We’ll make our own way back,’ I assured him.
I waited until Aldred had gone into the Palace and no vampires were to be seen. Then I carried Clyde over to a far corner of the meadow. ‘I don’t like asking again,’ I admitted as I held him up. ‘It’s not like I have a search dragon on tap to seal these crossings up again. But we’ve been away from England long enough.’
‘Search dragons can close thin places?’ Jago asked. ‘I didn’t know that.’
‘And keep it to yourself,’ I warned. ‘They have to use their own blood. We don’t want clever people deciding to use people like Raven that way, do we?’
‘No, Auntie Penny.’
Clyde opened his mouth, and I began to lower him. But I’d only gone a few inches when he shuddered. ‘No.’
‘What?’ Jago demanded. ‘Why not?’
‘I beg your pardon,’ I corrected, wondering if I sounded exactly like my mother. ‘What’s the problem, Clyde?’
‘Can’t.’ He shut his jaws and twisted his eyespots to look at me. ‘Gone.’
‘The unicorn touched him,’ Jago reminded me. ‘When you all fell down. It’s like me and flying. It’s gone, for now.’
I drew in my arm and cradled the snail against my chest. ‘The ability will come back,’ I reassured him, hoping that the Archdruid had told us the truth. ‘In the meantime, we need to find another way to get home.’
‘“When we in darkness walk, nor feel the heavenly flame,”’ Clyde sang in his tenor voice, ‘“then is the time to trust our God, and rest upon his name.”’
‘And to use the thin place in the cathedral.’ I sighed. ‘Let’s pray that the Dean isn’t around. I don’t think we’re on her Christmas card list.’
‘I don’t think unicorns send Christmas cards, Auntie Penny. How would they write them?’
‘It’s only an expression, Jago.’
I now wished I hadn’t allowed Aldred to disappear. At least, without a black unicorn filly in tow, no one paid us much notice. As I took us to the cathedral’s entrance, my knees started to ache, and I wondered how much more this day would bring. Ian’s workshop seemed many emergencies ago.
Late afternoon sun glinted on the dark doors and the stone archways. I pushed them open and felt my heart rate slow as we stepped inside. The soaring ceiling and marble floor reminded me of cathedrals in my own country. However, no churches in Great Britain, to my knowledge, contained a large stained-glass window depicting Jesus with a small dragon resting around his neck. I could only hope that the dragon didn’t have evil intentions towards the lamb cradled in the Lord’s arms.
I walked towards the choir stalls. The unicorn on duty, a blue and gold cloth draped over his back, turned his head at my approach. ‘Father Penny. Good to see you, as ever. You wish to use the crossing?’
‘Yes, please.’ And a moment later I stepped from one world to another. As I pulled out my iPhone to give the Dean a ring, I wondered wearily how I was to arrange my return to the Abbey.
<><><><><><>
The Dean rescued me from the back corner of the cathedral, and then arranged a verger to give me a lift. Jeremy filled me in on his life as he piloted us down the A5. All I had to do was to grunt or nod my head from time to time as he told me about his cat, the grandchildren, and his ex-wife’s latest boyfriend. ‘A college student!’ he was raging as we pulled into the Abbey carpark. ‘What do these young men see in a woman old enough to be their mother?’
‘No idea,’ I said quickly. Both Clyde and Jago looked intrigued by the question. ‘Thanks for bringing me back. I should have stayed with the tour group.’
‘You’re not the first person to be left behind by their coach party.’ Jeremy waved off my attempts to offer him any money. ‘Enjoy the rest of your retreat.’
I waited until he’d driven away before lowering Clyde to the ground. ‘Dinner,’ he told me, then zoomed away.
I glanced at my wristwatch. 6pm. ‘Do you want to come with me, Jago? I’m going to visit the kitchens and ask for a tray to take up to my room. I’m certain they can rustle up some vegetables for you.’
‘Or nut roast?’ Jago asked hopefully as we walked to the building. ‘I like nut roast.’
I chuckled. ‘Have your parents come to terms with your vegetarianism?’
‘Mam’s okay with it. Tad’s not so certain. And James says he doesn’t care if I don’t eat meat, so long as I don’t mind him eating steak.’ The entrance door opened as we drew near. ‘Auntie Penny, this meeting with the Archdeacon tonight. What’s it about?’
The receptionist gave me a friendly smile as I walked past her desk. I followed my nose down the corridor and turned right to make my way to the kitchen. The warm smell of roast potatoes made my mouth water. ‘Clyde thinks God might be calling him to be a priest. Ian’s meeting with him this evening to talk it over. We hope you don’t mind acting as interpreter?’
‘I’ve already told Uncle Clyde that I don’t mind. But what if the Church says yes? Won’t Uncle Clyde need someone with him if he goes to vicar school?’
I’d been so concerned about giving Clyde a fair chance to explore his vocation, that I hadn’t paused to consider what support he might need further down the line. ‘One hurdle at a time.’
The kitchen staff answered my knock. A few minutes later I was handed a covered plate of hot food, with a separate bowl of raw carrots and broccoli for Jago. I managed to carry everything up the stairs without any spills.
As I was fumbling for my room key, the door swung open. I nearly dropped my tray. Standing inside was Sue’s driver and bodyguard, Pierre. His huge body filled the doorway. ‘Reverend White. The minister has been waiting for your response.’
‘Who let you into her room?’ Jago demanded.
‘Human locks are so predicable.’ His face shifted from human to bear, his hair the same brown in both forms.
‘But it’s not very polite! Is it, Auntie Penny?’
‘No, it’s not,’ I said, drawing courage from the small gryphon’s obvious lack of fear. ‘You could have waited in reception.’
‘This is a matter of national security.’ Most of the time, the were-bear’s voice sounded like the American he pretended to be. But snatches of a French accent peppered his speech. ‘Come inside and phone the minister.’
‘Not until I’ve had my dinner,’ I said. ‘And I’d rather you wait outside.’
‘Reverend White--’
‘Has had a very busy day already and is running on empty.’ I cocked my head and gave him a sweet smile. ‘If my food goes cold, I’ll just have to go back downstairs to fetch some more.’
Pierre grumbled under his breath, but he stepped out into the corridor. I slid inside and placed my dinner on the dressing table before shutting the door. The room smelled of fur and cologne, and I hurriedly opened a window. As I returned to the table, Jago leapt down and said, ‘You’re really brave. He’s a very big were-bear.’
‘You were very brave too.’
‘Only because you were.’
I scratched at his head with one forefinger. ‘Well, there you go. We were brave for each other.’
‘Is that what it’s like, when you’re partners with someone?’
‘It can be, yes.’ I unrolled the white napkin and spread it across my lap. ‘Your father and I have often been brave for each other.’
‘I wasn’t thinking of you and Tad,’ Jago said, poking at the carrots with one forefoot. ‘Is that why you and Peter aren’t together anymore? Because you weren’t better together than if you were apart?’
‘It’s a bit more complicated than that.’ I lifted the napkin and dabbed at my eyes. ‘But it was part of our decision,
yes. Now, go on, eat your vegetables. You need to scoot down to the Oak Room at 8pm.’
I uncovered my plate. To my dismay, a chicken breast met my gaze. I’d not asked the Abbey whether they served free range poultry. For a moment hunger wrestled with ethics. Then I pushed the meat to one side and concentrated on the potatoes and mixed vegetables. Better safe than sorry.
The thought of a were-bear possibly losing patience made me eat faster than usual. I covered the remains and returned to the door. ‘All right, I’m finished,’ I called out. ‘I’ll phone her now.’
‘May I come in?’
‘There’s no need.’ I couldn’t think of any polite way to tell a were-bear that he stank. ‘You can listen in from there.’ And, taking a seat on the edge of the bed, I pulled out my iPhone and clicked on Sue’s contact number. ‘It’s Penny. You wanted to talk to me about a missing submarine?’
Chapter Ten
‘You could’ve taken this back last night,’ Morey grumbled from his usual place on my shoulder as I carried the food tray down the stairs.
‘After I’d finished talking to Sue, all I wanted was a hot bath and bed.’ I stopped outside the kitchen. ‘Knock on the door for me?’
‘Bath, bed, and half a bottle of whisky,’ Morey said, rapping on the white door with his beak.
‘Okay, I shared a few drinks with Pierre before bath and sleep. Seems Sue sent him with a peace offering.’
A member of staff took the plates from me and, divested of meal remains, I took us through to the breakfast room. Morey gave some of his fellow Associates brief nods. ‘Why the peace offering?’
I piled toast and scrambled eggs on a plate, then found a quiet corner. ‘She wants me to go down to London this afternoon for a security briefing. And if it goes on really late, she wants me to stay overnight.’
Morey hopped down and snatched a beakful of egg. ‘What’s happened?’
‘Seems a nuclear submarine has gone missing, and the government’s convinced it’s in Lloegyr.’ I sipped at my coffee. ‘Well, those members of Her Majesty’s Government who know about Lloegyr and, of course, the submarine would be somewhere off the coast of Lloegyr.’
‘Through a water thin place?’
‘Yes,’ I agreed. ‘I don’t think water crossings work the same way as land or air ones. From what a merwoman told me, thin places in water don’t stay fixed in one spot.’
‘Be careful what you say,’ Morey growled. ‘You don’t want too many people knowing that air crossings provide short cuts between our two worlds.’
‘I’ve kept it very quiet,’ I assured him. ‘And it’s only search dragons, and snail sharks, who can find them anyway.’
‘Search dragons can be bought, with either loyalty or gold. Gold works faster.’ Morey cocked his head. ‘Or single malt whisky.’
‘“Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker.”’
‘Ogden Nash,’ the gryphon said promptly. ‘I had no idea you knew his poetry.’
I grinned. ‘Actually, I was quoting Willy Wonka.’
Morey groaned. ‘Of course you were.’ He tapped my hand with a claw. ‘Are you going down to London?’
‘Don’t think I have a choice. The Minister without Porfolio started talking about “matters of national security” and reminded me that I swore an oath of allegiance to the Queen.’
‘You did?’ Morey made another dive at my plate, and I warded him off with my fork. ‘That was rather hasty of you.’
‘She is the head of the Church of England.’
‘Surely Christ is the head of the Church? St Paul says--’
‘If I let you have some of my eggs,’ I asked, ‘would you lay off the theology? I’m really not awake enough yet.’
‘Done.’ And with that he buried his snout into the pile and chewed greedily. I abandoned the plate and went off to fill a new one. ‘And bring back some bacon!’ Morey called after me.
After enjoying eggs not marked by beak bites, I went to my room and packed my bag. One of Jago’s grey feathers fluttered from the bed, and I wondered how Clyde’s meeting with Ian had gone. I flung a quick prayer to heaven, realising that I was openly asking for God’s will to be done but secretly hoping that he would arrange the outcome to suit my own preferences. I checked out, dumped my case into my car, and returned to the Abbey.
I felt some guilt as I settled into the lecture room for the final session of the conference. My toing and froing from Lloegyr had meant that I’d missed much of the programme, including last night’s celebratory meal. Morey, however, had attended everything, and he gave me a quick summary. Of greater importance, in his opinion, was that he’d found several people who might make good partners to his children.
A magnificent full-sized gryphon called Marwin, the Archdeacon of Rhydychen, gave the final address. Although he spoke movingly about the importance of British and Lloegyr citizens learning from each other, I found myself distracted by the sheer beauty of his black eagle and panther combination. He paced across the stage, his large ebony crest rising and falling as he emphasised his main points.
We had a brief break while a table was brought in and set up for a Eucharist. The service was in English, and the hymns in Welsh. Marwin presided, and Ian assisted.
Lunch was the usual buffet selection, and I slipped a few sandwiches into a plastic bag before tucking into pasta. The minister might arrange food, but I wanted to be prepared just in case. Morey had taken a seat on another table and was engaged in heated conversation with Marwin. At first I thought they might be having a theological disagreement, but when a few words rose above the general hubbub, I realised that they were arguing over the merits of their favourite rugby teams.
I was pouring myself a cup of coffee when Pierre strode into the room. ‘Reverend White, I’m ready to leave when you are.’
‘I can take the train.’
Pierre shook his head. ‘The minister was very clear. I’m to drive you to London. Please pack what you might need in case you have to stay overnight.’
I didn’t fancy my odds of out-manoeuvering a large were-bear. ‘Okay. Let me finish my drink and I’ll be with you. Am I supposed to bring my Associate?’
‘You know how the minister feels about people from Lloegyr.’
‘Which is why I’m surprised you work for her.’
‘I don’t work for her.’ He reached out a huge hand to pour hot water into a mug. ‘My loyalty is to the Consortium. I’ll see you outside.’
I frowned at his retreating back. Consortium. Where had I heard that name before? I searched my mind, but only drew a blank. Maybe Morey would remember.
As I finished my coffee, I checked my diary. Today was supposed to be my day off, and the only appointment listed was ‘Visit Meadowell Farm: Wine choices.’ I managed to delete the entry with only one small tear. The venue knew that the wedding had been cancelled, so they wouldn’t be expecting me.
The early clouds had cleared, and the skies promised a warm afternoon. I unlocked the boot of my car and rummaged through my case. Morey perched on the roof as I dumped dirty clothes to lie in a heap near my umbrella and a battered road atlas. ‘You sure you’ll be back tomorrow?’
‘Sue Harkness may be many things, but I’m pretty certain she doesn’t plan to kidnap me.’ The breeze scooped an old supermarket receipt from the car, and I chased after it. Morey managed to land on the paper, and I accepted it from his claws. ‘Thanks. I hate to litter. Are you happy to fly home? I could find out if anyone can give you a lift part way.’
‘I’m fine.’ He flapped up to my shoulder. ‘What about Clyde and Jago?’
‘They’ll stay around the Abbey until I’m back.’ I took a deep breath. ‘We had an encounter yesterday. With a winged unicorn. I’ll tell you all about it when I get back. Anyway, it seems the unicorn drains power away from people. Clyde can’t create thin places. And Jago can’t fly. The Archdruid did say that it’d only be temporary.’
Morey stiffened. ‘Flightless. Again.’
‘But it’s not like the last time.’ I walked us back to the car, zipped my case shut, and lifted it out. ‘His beak isn’t affected. And it’s not like he needs to do a death dive to catch carrots.’
‘I’ll stay here with them.’ His cheek feathers fluffed. ‘I do hope you’re back by tomorrow morning. I’d like to spend at least part of my day off with my wife.’
‘I’ll do my best.’
Other conference attendees were spilling out of the Abbey and into the car park. I closed the boot, locked the car, and looked around. As if on cue, a black Ford Galaxy rolled up. Pierre leapt out and opened the rear passenger door. ‘I’ll keep my case with me,’ I told him as I slid onto the black leather seat. ‘I might do some work on my laptop.’
Pierre nodded. ‘The car is fitted with wifi. Your browser history will be recorded.’
‘Fine.’ If Her Majesty’s Government wanted to look at my Facebook or Twitter feed, they were more than welcome.
A tinted glass screen had been fitted behind the front seats, cutting off the driver from the passengers. ‘Press the call button if you need anything,’ Pierre said, then shut the door. I put on my seatbelt and forced myself to relax.
Once we were on the M1, I pulled my bag open and unzipped the main compartment. Light glinted on a pair of eyes, one blue, the other brown. A blue crest rose from a tangle of socks and underwear. ‘Hi Auntie Penny.’
‘Jago,’ I whispered furiously. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘You’re going to London.’ He kept his voice equally low. ‘I like London. It’ll be a great adventure.’
I bent closer to the case and pretended to be rummaging inside. ‘Sue Harkness doesn’t like people from Lloegyr. She won’t be happy that you’ve come along.’
‘But she won’t see me, will she? Tad says she won’t let anyone give her the Sight.’ His black beak dropped open in a grin. ‘But I don’t have to go in, do I? I can run around London on my own.’
