“I don’t think you understand,” she said. “I need to get up.” She put such great emphasis on the ‘need’ that I took her meaning.
“Oh. Canini, let her get up and go to the bathroom. She will be coming back to bed.” I put as much emphasis on the ‘will’ as she had on the ‘need’. It was an order, not a request.
I watched as she slipped out from under the covers and padded over to the bathroom. Once the door was closed I sat on the edge of the bed and began to play with the cubs.
“Who undressed me?” she asked as she slid back under the covers.
I grinned at her mischievously, but then decided to tell her the truth. “Mom. As soon as dad picked you up out of the bath the men were unceremoniously thrown out of the room until you were tucked up in bed. I asked the wolves to stay with you and keep you warm.”
“So what happened?”
I shook my head. “Oh no. That can wait till later. Right now you are going to go back to sleep.” I stood up and walked toward the door, pausing to look back at her before I left the room. “I’ll take the wolves away if you like.”
“No,” she said hastily. “It’s okay. They can stay.”
“I knew I would convert you.” I left the room, shutting the door behind me.
My mother saw me leaving and approached me.
“You didn’t wake her, did you?”
“No, she was already awake, I promise.” She eyed me suspiciously, but didn’t comment. “I told her to go back to sleep.”
“Good. I will wake her at lunch time and see if she is ready to eat. In the meantime my vegetable garden needs weeding and guess who has just volunteered to do it.”
I didn’t need to guess. It was punishment for disturbing Rachel without my mother’s permission. Without complaining I got changed into older clothes, grabbed a hat and made my way to the garden. I could easily have used magic to remove the weeds, but I realised that my mother was just trying to keep me occupied, so I did it the hard way.
A few hours later I was hot and sweaty and my back was aching, but as least the vegetable garden was weed-free. I quickly showered and changed and made my way to the dining room where I found my mother piling food onto a tray.
“I’ll take it,” I said.
“No,” she said sternly, “you won’t.” I knew better than to argue.
She soon returned, wolves in tow, and informed the family that Rachel would be spending the rest of the day in bed whether she liked it or not.
Rob chuckled. “She is going to hate that,” he whispered to me. “She is a terrible patient.”
“She will, however, be allowed visitors,” mom continued and as soon as he had finished eating, Rob almost ran from the room. I was tempted to follow him, but decided the two friends would probably like to be alone for a while, so I made my way to the library. From there I could monitor who was going down the corridor.
I noted Rob’s passing, glancing up from the book I was reading, but remained where I was. I had already seen Rachel that morning and my sisters would probably want to make their apologies to her, so I would give them their chance. I smiled to myself as I saw Katana go past a short while later. She could have been heading to her own room, but I didn’t think so.
Spatha also visited, as did my father. They both peered into the library, almost entered, then changed their minds. They know me well enough to know that now was not the time to talk to me further about what had happened.
Late afternoon I watched my mother go past, presumably heading to Rachel’s room. She paused at the library and stuck her head round the door.
“I’ll be letting Rachel join us for dinner,” she said. “We will be eating outside so please can you make sure everything is set up.”
I nodded and left the house. The others soon arrived, the two girls bringing some of their piglets with them to play with while the men laid the table and handed round bottles of beer. Rachel appeared a short while later, dressed in pyjamas, a thick dressing gown and slippers. She looked a little embarrassed to be in her nightwear, but nobody commented; instead they gave her a warm welcome.
“We will be having roast pork tonight,” mom said and Katana could not resist teasing Rachel.
“As our honoured guest,” she said solemnly, “you get to choose which one we shall eat.”
Rachel stared at the piglets in horror, making everyone burst out laughing, even me. When she did not seem to be seeing the funny side I apologised for my sister’s comment, though my grin must have suggested that the apology was not completely heartfelt.
The evening was warm and the food pleasant, but I could not relax and enjoy myself. I was watching Rachel the entire time, looking for signs that she was not as recovered as she appeared to be. I was actually pleased when she retired early. I glanced at the wolves and was about to instruct them to go with her when they did so of their own accord.
As soon as she had entered the house I said I was going to visit Death, then disappeared.
“Rob passed the latest test,” I said, making my uncle jump in fright. He had not heard me arrive.
“Everything went according to plan then?” he asked.
“Not exactly.” I then proceeded to tell him all that had happened, neglecting to mention my reaction to the situation.
“It all seems to have worked out alright in the end,” Death said, not seeming to care that Rachel had almost died. This irritated me and I told him that I should get back home.
“One more thing before you leave,” he said, his face turning grim. “Your great-grandmother has requested that you take our guests via the invisible bridge.”
Great. Why was she getting involved? “Since when has great-grandmother ever requested anything?”
“You’re right,” Death said. “This is not a request. It is an order.”
“Any idea what she wants to talk to them about?”
Death shook his head. “Not them, you.”
This was not good. This was not good at all. Someone must have been speaking to her about Rachel and one name sprang to the front of my mind. “Is Ankou here?”
Death nodded. “Snooker room I think.”
I made my way down the corridor and entered the room without knocking. Ankou glanced up at me before taking his shot and smiled. I did not return the smile.
“Have you got her into bed yet?” he asked, grinning broadly.
I crossed my arms and regarded him coldly. “Don’t judge me by your own low standards.”
“I’ll take that as a no,” he said as he potted a red.
“I haven’t even tried.”
“I really am not training you very well am I.”
I ignored the comment. “What exactly have you said to great-grandmother?”
The question took him by surprise. “Nothing. I haven’t seen her recently.” I believed him. He isn’t that good an actor. “Why?” he asked.
“She wants to see me before I bring our visitors here. At the bridge.”
“Oh. That’s going to be fun for you.” He didn’t even try to hide his sarcasm. “Good luck. You’re going to need it.”
“Thanks,” I said dryly before vanishing.
Instead of going home, I went to visit my grandfather. Grandmother was with him when I arrived and, though I would have preferred to speak to him alone, I did not ask her to leave.
“I need a favour.”
“Of course,” he said. “What can I do for you?”
“I want to create a storm.”
My reply took both of my grandparents by surprise. “Whatever for?” my grandmother asked.
I sat down, unsure how I was going to explain myself. “I want to prolong our journey for a while.”
“Why?” grandfather enquired.
I grimaced. “I’d rather not say.”
I expected the ‘Spanish inquisition’, but instead all he said was, “Fair enough. I won’t interfere as long as you make sure you keep it under control and do not affect anywhere other than the local
area you are in.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. “Thanks.”
Unfortunately I was not going to get off quite that easily. “I do, however,” he continued, “expect an explanation at some point.”
I promised to provide full details as soon as Rob and Rachel had left the realm. I neglected to mention that I would do all I could to make sure that Rachel remained here forever.
I stayed with my grandparents for a while, bringing them up to date with all that had happened on the journey since I last spoke to them and was feeling a lot happier and more relaxed when I eventually went home.
Storm
As soon as I awoke the next morning I got dressed and went to check on Rachel. I met Spatha in the corridor and she asked if she could accompany me. Unable to find a reason to say no I reluctantly nodded my head.
I knocked on the door and heard Rachel’s voice calling out, “Enter.”
I was shocked to find Rob in the bed with her. My sister, however, was scandalised.
“What is going on here?” she asked.
“Robert needed somewhere to sleep seeing as his bed was occupied,” Rachel said in an icy tone.
“Would you care to explain that statement?” Something was obviously going on that I knew nothing about.
“Ask your sister.” She glared at Spatha as she spoke.
I turned to face my sibling. “Well?”
Spatha pouted. “Everyone else got to test him so I thought I would. I tested his fidelity by trying to seduce him.” I should have expected something like this would happen. “He turned me down,” Spatha continued sulkily. This might be the first time she had ever been rejected. Maybe it will do her some good.
“And you wonder why you are not allowed up to Earth very often.”
“That bitch was naked in my bed when I went to my room,” Rob said.
My mood darkened. “Be careful what you say about my sister.”
“When I told her to go away she made herself look like my girlfriend,” Rob continued.
I glared at Spatha. I was still angry at her for almost killing Rachel. Now I was livid. I struggled to remain calm. “I take it back,” I said to Robert. “Call her whatever you like.” Then a thought struck me and I turned my attention back to her. “How do you even know what Tammara looks like?”
Spatha tossed her hair. “That was easy. He carries her photo in his bag.”
I was shocked. “You went through Rob’s things?” I spoke each word slowly and carefully. Spatha nodded. “Rob is a guest in our house and deserves his privacy. I would expect that sort of behaviour from Katana, but not from you.”
Spatha put her hands on her hips in defiance. “Why am I the one getting yelled at? Those two spent the night together. So much for Rob being head over heels in love with his girlfriend. He jumps into bed with his so-called ‘friend’ at the first opportunity.”
Thankfully both Rob and Rachel kept their mouths shut. “I have travelled with these two for a few weeks now. I think I have gotten to know them pretty well. They are more like brother and sister than friends. There is no way anything would happen between them. They are perfectly capable of sharing a bed without it being sexual.” I had no doubt whatsoever that I was speaking the truth. “Rachel allowed him to stay in her bed the same as you would allow me to stay in yours under similar circumstances.”
“You must be joking,” Spatha said. “I love you dearly but if you had nowhere else to sleep you would be on the floor brother dearest.”
I shook my head sadly. It was the response I had been expecting. “That says a lot more about your character than Rachel’s. Now go to your room and stay there until mom or dad decides what to do with you.” It was not a request; it was a command.
“You cannot tell me what to do,” Spatha yelled, sounding like a spoilt schoolkid.
“Yes I can, now go,” I said. Spatha obediently left the room.
I watched her leave then turned my attention back to Rachel and Rob, feeling very guilty for my family’s treatment of them. “Please forgive Spatha. She is still very young and does not always think about the consequences of her actions. I will speak to my parents and she will be suitably punished.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Rob said. “But I would appreciate it if we didn’t have to spend another night here. No offence.”
“None taken. I completely understand. We have done all we needed to here so we can leave as soon as Rachel is up to it.”
“I’m okay,” she said after a moment’s hesitation. “As soon as I have some hot food inside me I am good to go.”
Bacon and eggs were waiting for us in the dining room, but nobody else was present. Before eating I went to find my parents to tell them about Spatha. They returned with me to the dining room and did not look happy. My mother and father would not stop apologising for their daughter’s behaviour. They were mortified that a guest in their house had been treated so disrespectfully. It was bad enough that they had deceived their guests about what the test would be and that Rachel had almost died, but to then have Spatha try to make Rob betray Tammara made them feel deeply ashamed.
Rob kept telling them not to worry about it, that he knew what teenage girls were like and eventually they left him in peace.
Katana came to see us off, but there was no sign of Spatha. “Give my love to Ankou when you see him,” she said to Rachel, knowing that he would probably be with his father when we eventually reached Death’s domain.
I rolled my eyes at her. “Take care of yourself big brother,” she told me as she hugged me tight. “And of Rachel.” Now why did she have to say that? I glanced at Rachel, but she did not appear to have taken much notice of the comment.
“I will, though I’m sure she will be safe enough without you and Spatha around to cause trouble,” I teased. She didn’t see the funny side.
“You know that was not our fault. It was an accident. We didn’t predict that Rob would be stupid enough to go out onto the ice.”
“Calm down sis.” I ruffled her hair in the way I know irritates her. “I was only joking.”
My parents hugged me tight before saying farewell and, much to my dismay, they hugged Rachel as well.
I remained silent as we walked, mulling over all that had happened. It had not gone at all as I had expected and I could not shake the lingering resentment that I felt toward my sisters, Spatha in particular. I also thought about the advice I have been given. A number of times Rachel asked me what was on my mind, but I didn’t want to talk to her about it, so I refused to answer. Eventually she gave up.
We walked all morning, past lakes and through copses of trees, stopping for lunch in a meadow where deer could be seen grazing in the distance. I was in no hurry to leave again, so I took my time eating, enjoying the feel of the sun beating down on me. Rob and I chatted about nothing in particular while Rachel stretched out and closed her eyes. She looked so peaceful I didn’t want to disturb her when it was time to head off once more. Instead I willed a few dark clouds into existence in the distance and a slight wind to blow them toward us.
Now it was time to start acting. I looked up into the sky, shielding my eyes from the sun with my hand. “That doesn’t look good,” I said and Rob immediately looked up. “A storm is coming. I had better see if I can find a better place for us to camp before it hits.”
“Do we need to find shelter?” he asked.
I shook my head. “The tents will be fine, but it will probably last a while.”
Before Rob could ask any more questions that I might not be able to answer spontaneously I stood up and walked off. “Keep an eye on Rachel,” I said over my shoulder before I disappeared from sight. I didn’t want him following me and this was one way to guarantee that he wouldn’t.
As soon as I was far enough away I sat down and really began to concentrate. More clouds appeared until they eventually hid the sun. The wind picked up and rain started to fall. I held the storm in place and returned to where I had left Rob and Rachel. I
would make sure we had the tents up before I moved the storm overhead, where it would stay for as long as I wanted it to.
“This is as good a place as any,” I said as soon as they caught sight of me. “We had better get the tents set up before the wind picks up. This is going to be a bad one.”
“You mean it is going to be one hell of a storm,” Rob said, grinning. I looked at him in disgust. If that was the best he could come up with he would never be able to call himself a comedian.
I extracted poles and canvas from my bag once more, but this time I created one large tent instead of three small ones. What would be the point in delaying the journey if I couldn’t spend the time with Rachel?
Rachel was the first to notice the difference and I explained the reasons behind it. Well some of them anyway. “We are going to be stuck here for a few days so I thought it best if we were all together.”
“Days!” she exclaimed. “You’re joking, right.”
I shook my head. “We don’t get storms very often in this realm, but when we do they are extreme.” It wasn’t exactly a lie. Occasionally a god or demi-god decides to create one and we like to make things dramatic.
The tent consisted of 3 sleeping areas, a dining room complete with table and chairs and an area that would be a lounge or sitting room. As far as tents go it was massive, but it would soon start to feel very small.
I willed the wind to increase in ferocity, pushing the rain toward us until it was directly overhead. The wind buffeted the canvas, but there was no risk that the tent would be blown away. When the rain began it was so noisy we had to shout to be heard.
“This is ridiculous,” I yelled out.
“Can’t you do something?” Rob asked.
I nodded, sat down cross legged and closed my eyes in concentration. After a couple of minutes the entire tent went silent. You could still tell that the wind and rain where hitting it, but it no longer made any noise.
“What did you do?” Rachel asked in wonder.
“Soundproofing.”
“Can you do the bedrooms as well?” she said. “Just in case Robert snores.”
“Hey,” he protested as she grinned at him.
Kris's Story Page 21
