Azrael’s Twins
* * *
Book One of the Nearworld Tales
by
V.J. Mortimer
This eBook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed, publicly performed, or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the publishers as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorised distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the authors and publishers rights and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.
Copyright © Vincent Mortimer 2012
Published as an ebook by Vincent Mortimer 2013
Kindle Edition
The right of V. J. Mortimer to be identified as the author has been asserted by him
All characters, events, and places in this book
are products of the authors imagination,
and any resemblance to actual persons,
living or dead, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental
Condition of Sale
This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out, or otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
Cover Designed by Julie Bullard
ebook conversion Peter Harris www.ebookuploader.com
“Come Fairies, take me out of this dull world, for I would ride with you upon the wind and dance upon the mountains like a flame!”
W.B Yeats
To Avrael – for faith, for love, and being you
To Niamh and Hamish – without whom there would be no book
A Few Notes on Pronunciation
Gaelic is not the easiest language in the world to give quick guidance on pronunciation. The following is a very short list which will help with some of the words in this book. The pronunciations are English approximations and not strictly speaking correct;
Niamh: English approximation Nee-uv
Tir-Na-Nog: English approximation Tyeer nuh noeg
Sidhe: English approximation Shee
Manannan Mac Lir: English approximation Monn-unawn mok lir
Samain: English approximation Sou-in
Contents
A Few Notes on Pronunciation
Prologue
Chapter 1 The Watcher in the Forest
Chapter 2 Secrets & Legends
Chapter 3 A Disappearing Act
Chapter 4 Homeland
Chapter 5 The Dragon’s Lair
Chapter 6 A Werewolf in the House
Chapter 7 The Dragon Master
Chapter 8 A Library of their Own
Chapter 9 Fitzhollow and Hooligan
Chapter 10 Testing Times
Chapter 11 The Library and the Lore Master
Chapter 12 Azrael’s Twins
Chapter 13 Broomsticks and Stories
Chapter 14 The Principal Witch
Chapter 15 Magic in the River
Chapter 16 Battleground Breakthrough
Chapter 17 Detentions and Danger
Chapter 18 Blasting Spells and Dragon Dung
Chapter 19 Viper Flight
Chapter 20 The Counsel of Friends
Chapter 21 The Festival of Samain
Chapter 22 Dragon Race
Chapter 23 A Question of Trust
Chapter 24 Deception and Diversions
Chapter 25 Secrets in the Vault
Chapter 26 New Beginnings
Prologue
The watchers shifted their weight to see the children better.
‘Do you think they have any idea?’ said the first.
‘Not a chance,’ said the second. ‘They’ve been chasing us around for years and haven’t twigged.’
The first nodded in agreement. ‘Yes. You’re right about that. Do you think they mixed up the kids? You know, sent us after the wrong ones? I would have thought the right ones would have figured out something was a bit off by now.’
‘Oh I don’t think so,’ said the second. ‘They couldn’t afford to get this wrong.’
In the clearing beyond the edge of the wood the boy and the girl were coming closer. Through the meadow they came, past late blooming daisies, and down the path towards the watchers. Even at this distance they could hear the boy chattering away without a break. ‘He doesn’t half have a way with words, does he?’ said the first.
‘You’re right there,’ said the second, scratching his nose. ‘Funny though ... I thought that these two wouldn’t have seemed so ... well ... so ordinary.’ The words almost sounded guilty, as if it were something he wouldn’t want others to hear.
‘Ordinary, these two? Don’t make me laugh! You’ve seen the signs. And lately they’ve been much better, much stronger. That girl nearly caught you last week. And you thought she’d never figure out that little double-around trick. But she was onto that even before you got halfway back!’ He turned back towards the children and watched as they closed the gap to the forest. ‘No. These are definitely the ones. You’ve seen the signs – the way the rain bucketed down everywhere last week on her birthday but it completely missed their house and only their house – just when the party was starting outside. Coincidence? I don’t think so.’ He looked sideways at his friend and quietly muttered at him. ‘And don’t go saying “Ordinary” too loudly. You never know who else is listening.’
‘Yeah,’ said the second, thoughtfully. ‘Yeah, you’re right about that. If these are the two then you never know who else is out here. After all, if I were them at home, the last thing I’d do is trust you with keeping an eye on things!’ The other aimed a short playful punch at him.
‘Oh yes, thanks so very much for your confidence. The boy has shown sparks too – from time to time at least.’
‘They’ve both been showing the signs for months now – even the young one, and he’s a couple of years ahead of his sister. That’s a bit scary. Remember when the log rolled out of the fire last month but it went out without burning anything? And that was after it had rolled onto the paper. How did he do that, do you think?’
The other nodded his head. ‘Yeah, that should have gone up in flames but they just disappeared right before the boy’s eyes.’
‘And what about the storm last year? When the tree was about to blow over on the house?’
‘Yeah,’ said the second, thoughtfully. ‘Yeah, that was amazing, wasn’t it; the way the wind just changed direction and blew the tree back upright with the sort of gust that should have blown the house down.’
‘Well, these kids are going to need help soon and we aren’t the ones to be able to give it.’
‘You’re right there,’ said the first. ‘Come on, let’s get down there and have a bit of fun. They won’t get me today!’
Chapter 1
The Watcher in the Forest
Niamh raced through the undergrowth while her brother tried to keep up. She dodged under branches, over roots, and around trees as if she had a map. ‘Come ON Grady! Keep up!’ she yelled, with delight in her voice. She bounded on ahead, her mousy brown hair flowing out behind, shining in the late autumn sunlight and streaming away from her elf-like face. A light breeze filtered through the trees, and played counterpoint to the sound of the dead leaves being crushed under the children’s feet as they ran.
‘Wait Niamh, WAIT!’ hollered Grady in reply. His shorter legs, and two years less in age, made keeping up with his fleet-footed sister a challenge. He hated Niamh racing off ahead of him. It made him feel silly and slow − never mind that Dad kept telling him he only had to wait a few years before he was
faster and stronger than his big sister. A few years? That’s forever when you are only nine!
‘Come on Grady, they’re just ahead! We can catch them this time if you just COME ON!’
‘They’re always just ahead of us, Niamh!’ Grady shouted back, almost breathless with the chase. ‘They’re squirrels – we’ll never catch them!’
Niamh didn’t look back as she tried to keep up with the two dogs just ahead of her − Finarfin and Cuchulain (or Fin and Cu as the names were invariably shortened). The dogs were big, lovable, jet black, and perpetually hungry − a normal state of affairs for a Labrador. They had been constant and faithful companions for as long as Niamh and Grady could remember.
The squirrels seemed to have some sort of magic in their flight through the woods. Just as the children thought they were about to catch them, the squirrels would disappear into the underbrush, popping up just far enough away that it seemed another chase and slight effort were all that was needed. It seemed to be the theme of summer for the children − find the squirrels, chase the squirrels, lose the squirrels, and head home hungry and tired.
Today, though, seemed to be different...
Every time the children appeared to be losing the race, the squirrels seemed to glance back to check Niamh and Grady were just close enough. When Grady shouted for a break the squirrels would also stop – as if to make sure they could keep an eye on their pursuers. When that happened, the dogs (being typical Labradors and not placing a great deal of thought into anything they did − other than eating food), would always find the squirrels would take themselves just out of reach by scampering up the nearest tree where they would chitter and chatter as if laughing at how clever they were.
‘I’m tired, Niamh,’ Grady panted as he caught up. His curly red hair was plastered to the side of his head as the mist rising from the nearby river began to mingle with the sweat from the chase. ‘Let’s go home and watch a movie. I’ve had enough of those stupid squirrels.’
Niamh sat down with her back against a large oak which stood alone in the forest amongst its beech neighbours. The old gnarled branches looked almost like the hands of some disfigured wood sprite raised in warning as markers on a boundary – ‘Halt. Go no further,’ they seemed to say in their undressed autumn state. The knotty trunk poked into Niamh's back but she didn’t care. She needed the rest.
As she sat there Niamh felt a wrongness about today’s chase descend on her. They were much further into the forest than she could ever remember coming before. The trees were stranger than she recalled, and they had long ago left the path they had forged in their many rambles through the bush with their parents. Vague memories and warnings came back to her about faeries on the lookout for children who hadn’t listened to their parents’ warnings – about leaving the path (or not cleaning up their rooms, or clothes, or toys, or doing their homework!). Niamh always thought Grace, her mum, was a bit of a witch. Niamh’s dad always referred to Grace’s girls’ night out as her coven night, though he did always say it with a smile. And her mum was always talking about the faerie stories and ancient Celtic tales from her Scottish homeland. Though Niamh always thought the tales were a bit silly she secretly wanted – as every girl and boy really does – to believe every word of them.
The squirrels chittered away as Grady sat down beside Niamh. He pulled a couple of stringy snake sweets from his pocket and offered one to Niamh. ‘Ughhh!’ she said with a look of distaste at the manky confectionary Grady waved under her nose. ‘No way.’
‘Suit yourself,’ said Grady as he squelched the first snake between his teeth and chewed thoughtfully. ‘Where do you think we are?’ he said as he finally took a moment to look at their surroundings.
‘Not sure,’ said Niamh, glancing uncertainly around her. ‘We’re a long way from where we normally end up chasing these guys.’ Looking around Niamh could see the trees stretching away into a deepening gloom. Nothing looked familiar and, as they sat and rested, the shadows seemed to close in around them. ‘I think we should get home. The squirrels will still be here tomorrow.’
The dogs suddenly bristled, hackles rising stiffly on their backs as they backed towards the children. ‘What is it, boys?’ said Niamh, feeling suddenly nervous. Her heart thumped loudly within her chest as a quiet stillness suddenly smothered the forest. The dogs let out a fierce bark as an orange-red glow blossomed in the gloom off to her right.
‘What’s that!’ she exclaimed, pointing at the glow and jumping to her feet.
Grady clumsily stood and peered in the direction Niamh was pointing. ‘Dunno. Looks like some sort of fire. But you’d never get fire out here right now. The rains have made everything too wet for that. Let’s take a look.’
‘No Grady,’ hissed Niamh. ‘If it is a fire we need to get out of here, and if it isn’t then I don’t want to find out. It’s getting late and dark and I’m tired. Can we please just go?’
Grady gave her his “I-can’t-believe-you-don’t-want-to-do-this” look. Despite normally being the more timid of the two children, he would, on odd occasions, act with a recklessness which shocked both his parents and his sister. Niamh could just tell he was not about to go home.
‘Oh no, Grady, NO! Can’t you just for once be sensible?’
Grady didn’t even reply as he gave his sister one last snake-chewing look and started across the forest floor to the light. Niamh knew the stubborn streak in her brother was going to win this one. Rather than be left alone she harrumphed and followed on behind him.
The dogs let out low guttural growls as they stood to attention facing the light. Neither of them had moved since they saw the glow. The children crept across the bracken and ferns towards the light, the dogs moving slowly ahead of them. As they approached, a sizzling sound, like the humming of a million bees on the edge of one’s hearing, grew louder. Niamh felt her throat go dry but Grady didn’t seem to care – he was too interested now to back away from this curiosity in the forest. Time stretched out for Niamh as the distance was reduced between them and the light. She suddenly noticed the squirrels had stopped chattering and were bouncing through the forest alongside them, their gaze fixed on the glow. The dogs were just metres ahead of the children but as they neared the source of the glow they slowed and fell in beside them. Creeping as silently as they could the children moved behind a large old tree. The glow was coming from the other side of it. Peering around, the children’s eyes grew wide with astonishment and their breath caught in their throats.
A sizzling golden flame was perched on a branch of a tree just metres away. And, right in the middle of the flame sat the most magnificent creature they had ever seen. A bird – if that is what it was – sat serenely in the flickering light. It was at least six feet tall with feathers that appeared to move and flow across its body. Its clawed feet had talons of fire which glowed gold and red and sizzling hot white. All the colours that dance around a burning log flickered through the bird’s eyes. The children were too scared to move and too fascinated to run.
The bird seemed to be scanning the forest. Its gaze was intense and piercing. The squirrels suddenly bounded into the clearing and the bird jerked its head towards them. It stared at the squirrels for a moment as they chittered away before its gaze fell on the tree the children hid behind. The sound of flames roared as the fiery bird spread its wings. The fire surged and swirled around the bird, though no twig on the tree was even singed. The children knew they had been seen! They turned to run but found their feet rooted to the spot. The bird of flame swooped from its branch and in one swift movement – too fast for a normal bird to make – it circled the tree and landed with its glowing wings of flame spread wide. Niamh let out a piercing scream and Grady roared with fright as the bird regarded them with the most knowing look they had ever seen. The dogs let out a primal howl but the bird silenced them all in a powerful voice; – ‘Niamh! Grady! – be quiet! I have long looked forward to meeting you two!’
Time stood still for the children as the crea
ture folded its wings. The dogs cowered beside them as the squirrels ran to stand by the bird’s side. There was no doubt now in Niamh’s mind the squirrels had led them here tonight. ‘Don’t be afraid,’ said the bird in a honeyed comforting tone. ‘I have been watching over you for months now. Will you sit and talk with me awhile?’
Niamh and Grady turned to look at each other with wonder. ‘How can ... how do ...’ stammered Niamh.
‘How do I talk?’ said the bird.
‘Yes,’ Niamh finally managed to say.
‘How do you think?’ said the bird, smiling – or at least Niamh thought it was a smile. It was a little hard to tell when there was a beak involved. ‘You must have heard stories of my kind from your parents. Perhaps those tales can give you a clue.’
‘Of course,’ said Niamh as she overcame the astonishment of talking to a creature she had only heard of in legends and tales. ‘You’re a phoenix, aren’t you?’
‘I am,’ said the phoenix, bowing. ‘And I’m delighted to meet you at last. My name is Belimawr. But you may call me Bel. It’s easier on the ears and shorter to write down.’
‘What do you want with us?’ asked Grady, stepping closer.
‘That explanation can wait for another day,’ said the phoenix. ‘But we need your help and your magic. I am here to help you find your way home – you and your parents.’
Again, Niamh and Grady exchanged puzzled and anxious glances. ‘What do you mean?’ asked Grady. ‘Home is just over that way,’ he said, pointing uncertainly back through the forest.
The phoenix settled back on his haunches and shook his feathers. The tiny tendrils of flame waved across his body and ran down his back. ‘That’s not the home I mean, Grady, and as I said there isn’t time to tell you everything tonight.’The phoenix paused for a moment looking from Niamh to Grady and back again. ‘But I can tell you a little in the time we have.’
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