Ghosts of Perigord

by Marc Lindsay

  ‘Be nice,’ Jason said with a grin.

  Wendy walked through the front door her eyes wide with excitement.

  ‘Ohmygod, this is so cool,’ Wendy said. Jason and Selene watched her closely. ‘I’ve always wanted to see the inside of this place.’

  ‘Well now you have,’ Selene said coolly, Jason nudged her with his shoulder and leaned close to her ear.

  ‘Be nice,’ he whispered. They gave Wendy a tour of the house, she marvelled at everything and was quite knowledgeable on the art and artefacts that Plato had amassed over the years. For the final part of the tour they led Wendy into the study, as they passed through the doorway Wendy stopped to study the plaque inlaid within, she slowly extended a finger and was about to touch it when Jason grabbed her hand startling the younger girl.

  ‘I wouldn’t, it’s sharper than it looks,’ Jason said indicating the thorns on the plaque, she nodded then entered. The moment Wendy passed through she let out a small squeal of excitement at what lay within.

  ‘You are the luckiest person in town,’ Wendy whispered in awe as she darted over to the nearest shelf of books, running a hand along the spines as she mentally took in the titles. Jason and even Selene who was trying hard to suppress it grinned at the young girls’ total lack of abandon, this was someone whose sole reason in life was the quest for knowledge, and now before her was another mountain to climb.

  Wendy spun around to face the pair.

  ‘Whatever you want me to do, whatever secret you want me to keep, I’ll gladly do it,’ Wendy announced with savage determination.

  ‘Take a seat,’ Jason instructed and Wendy dutifully obeyed.

  ‘I have so many questions, I don’t know where to start first,’ Wendy gushed.

  ‘How about I start,’ Jason said, glancing quickly at Selene, she returned with a nod and a reassuring hand on his arm. After a brief but noticeable silence Jason sighed then stood up.

  ‘As you are now aware I am an alien, well half anyway, my mother is human and she has no idea about either my father’s or my true heritage. And it has to remain like that. If and when I divulge that information to her, it will be of my choosing. That goes for every weird thing that happens in this town. Is that clear?’ Jason said firmly leaving no question to whether it was open to further to debate. ‘My race are shape shifters.’ With that Jason transformed before their eyes into a Minotaur, a mythical half man half bull. Wendy’s eyes bulged wide, Jason’s alien clothing also rearranged itself into ancient Greek armour, partly to cover his vanity, but mostly for dramatic effect. He had to stoop slightly to ensure his horns didn’t rupture the ceiling.

  Wendy gazed up at Jason’s new form, despite the fact that he looked so fearsome with his blazing red eyes, bulging muscles and flared nostrils, Wendy appeared unafraid albeit a little awestruck at the spectacle before her, she gingerly reached out and touched his leg to see if this was real and not an apparition. When her fingers connected with Jason she let out a delighted squeal as she snatched her hand back.

  ‘This is freakin’ awesome,’ Wendy said as she hopped around excitedly. ‘It’s one thing to see this from a distance, in the dark and through the lens of a camera, but this, this is…’

  ‘Awesome,’ Selene said dryly. Wendy let out another squeal and nodded vigorously. Jason transformed back to his human form a silly grin on his face, it was hard not to be swept along with Wendy’s enthusiasm.

  ‘What about the library?’ Wendy asked.

  ‘As I have mentioned previously, for the time being that area is off limits, however I can tell you a little bit about it and Selene,’ Jason said, Wendy glanced at her.

  ‘I thought you were human?’ Wendy asked.

  ‘I am!’ Selene said with a predatory grin and a wicked gleam in her eyes that suggested there was more to that story.

  Over the next half hour Jason told her an abridged version of how they had met, the discovery of his powers and how they came to be involved with the library including the entire mess with Ms Gaia and the Gjallarhorn, glossing over Ulysses and Ms Jax. After he had finished the three of them sat there in silence. Jason and Selene watched Wendy closely to gauge her reaction, surprisingly she managed to refrain from squealing, instead she looked deep in thought.

  ‘Wow, that’s so fantastic, not to mention troubling,’ Wendy said.

  ‘Which part in particular?’ Jason asked.

  ‘That thing you call the Gjallarhorn is probably the most amazing and disturbing things to have ever happened to the human race, and not only was I there but I was a soldier in this unstoppable army you described,’ Wendy said. The matching looks on Jason and Selene’s faces showed that they had never even contemplated her reaction to her involvement. ‘And it was thwarted by a single arrow fired from a magical bow wielded by you,’ Wendy said, pointing to Selene.

  ‘That’s correct,’ Jason replied.

  ‘I can’t even comprehend how you must feel walking around town with the knowledge that you saved it, the world from destruction and yet you can’t tell anyone about it or what you did,’ Wendy said in awe.

  ‘We try not to think about it,’ Selene said.

  ‘So now that I also know and now that I’m part of the team. What do we do?’ Wendy asked.

  ‘I’m glad you asked. Do you know about the Persian mythology exhibit that’s currently being held in the library?’ Jason asked.

  ‘Of course, I’ve been in a couple of times already,’ Wendy said.

  ‘Do you remember the parchments on display?’ Jason asked.

  ‘Yes,’

  ‘Well there are currently twelve parchments. There is supposed to be a thirteenth, we need your help to find out about it as well as a character from Persian mythology by the name of Kava, he was a famous blacksmith,’ Selene said.

  ‘And you think this information might be in my uncle’s study?’ Wendy asked.

  ‘That’s what we’re hoping anyway,’ Jason replied.

  ‘Well what are we waiting for then?’ Wendy said, jumping to her feet and making her way to the nearest bookshelf.

  Four hours later the three of them had an impressive pile of books in front of them. They had however barely scratched the surface and only a small amount of information to show for their efforts. They all decided to take a break when the sound of car tyres on gravel and the reflection of headlights alerted Jason to his mother’s return.

  ‘Remember we’re just studying,’ Jason stated. Helen slowly walked in, that and the obvious late hour of her return indicated weariness from a long day at work. Helen wasn’t surprised to find Selene there but she was with the younger mousy girl in the black framed glasses.

  ‘Oh, hello, I didn’t realise you had company,’ Helen said.

  ‘Mum, this is Wendy, Wendy Rothchild, she’s helping us with an assignment,’ Jason said. Wendy offered her hand, as Helen took it she gave the young girl a quick appraisal.

  ‘You’re awfully young to be helping these two,’ Helen commented.

  ‘I skipped a couple of years,’ Wendy replied with a mixture of pride and embarrassment.

  ‘Good for you, have you ever thought of a career in animal science? The profession could use smart young girls such as yourself,’ Helen said.

  ‘Mum,’ Jason interrupted, embarrassed by her presumptuousness. Wendy however seemed delighted by the praise and the attention.

  ‘No, but I’ll definitely keep my options open. Thanks,’ Wendy chimed.

  ‘It’s getting pretty late, have you kids eaten yet?’ Helen asked.

  ‘We were just about to have some leftovers. Do you want me to fix you up something as well?’ Jason asked.

  ‘Thank you for the offer but I grabbed a quick bite earlier from that diner you took me to. Ash’s right?’ Jason nodded. ‘A Cuban sandwich that Castro himself would have been proud of.’

  ‘And you didn’t think to bring me one home too? That’s love,’ Jason said in a mock hurt tone.

  ‘Oh, I knew my big boy would be fine. Ho
w much longer do you predict your little study session will go for?’ Helen said.

  ‘One hour, two tops,’ Jason said.

  ‘Well just make sure you get these two young ladies home safe, okay,’ Helen said.

  ‘Of course,’ Jason replied.

  ‘Well since that’s settled, I’m turning in. It was nice to meet you Wendy, goodnight Selene,’ Helen said, a note of weariness in her voice. After she left the three of them grabbed their food and made their way back to the study.

  With hunger now not an issue they decided to stocktake how they were going.

  ‘So, what have we got so far?’ Jason asked through a mouthful of chicken.

  ‘Well, I’ve found the story about Rostam’s helmet. It pretty much corroborates the information that we currently have. Nothing new though,’ Selene said.

  ‘I found some images concerning weapons of the period,’ Wendy said.

  ‘Does anything look familiar?’ Jason asked. But Wendy shook her head.

  ‘No, I’m afraid not, but I’m assuming this is the mace of Rostam,’ Wendy said holding the book out to him, Jason snatched it from her hand and they all crowded around to get a better look.

  The mace was a very bland off white colour and the fact that it was only a picture it was hard to get a sense of its scale. Jason thought that there was something familiar about it. The handle was very long with an odd shaped knob at the end which he assumed was to prevent its wielders hand from slipping off during combat. The mace’s head was shaped like a bull’s skull, the artistry and detail that had gone into its design was extraordinary.

  ‘Are you sure this doesn’t look familiar?’ Jason asked again.

  ‘It was a long time ago and there were so many weapons. I’m sorry, I just don’t remember,’ Wendy said clearly disappointed.

  ‘That’s okay,’ Jason replied attempting a smile. ‘Look, I think we should call it a night, after all these books aren’t going anywhere.’

  They decided to drop off Wendy first, who was still buzzing with excitement at her first day on the job. They walked and talked their voices tiny in the night.

  ‘I’m really enjoying all this research, and your mum’s really nice,’ Wendy said.

  ‘I’d have to agree on both points,’ Selene said.

  ‘I know it’s not related but one of the passages I read spoke of a sorcerer named Zarack or Zaham, crap, I forget but he had two snakes that would rise out of his shoulders and feast on human brains. How creepy is that,’ Wendy said utterly enthralled in her own story.

  ‘That is pretty freaky,’ Selene agreed.

  ‘Hey we’re here,’ Jason said. The girls looked up to find themselves out the front of Wendy’s house. Much to the younger girl’s disappointment.

  ‘Before I go, can I ask you a question?’ Wendy asked.

  ‘Sure,’

  ‘If my uncle does have this mace, what are you, I mean we going to do?’ Wendy asked.

  ‘Goodnight Wendy, we’ll see you tomorrow,’ Jason said, letting the question remain unanswered. As they walked away Selene turned to him. ‘What are we going to do?’ She asked.

  ‘I have absolutely no idea,’ Jason replied, as they slowly disappeared into the night.

  Chapter 23

  As Jason was seeing to Selene’s safe passage home. Heinrich Perigord was entering a large barn on his estate, dressed only in a simple brown robe, his head covered by a hood. Within the barn were wall to wall shelves, each one covered with withered flowers their bulbs swollen and pulsating. The interior was lit by dozens of candles either mounted to the walls or sitting on shelves, their flickering flames making the light dance across the room. Heinrich slowly made his way to the centre of the room where a crudely constructed alter lay, one made of twisted vines in the shape of two figures intertwined together, an image both fascinating and grotesque. Heinrich knelt before it then pulled the hood back from his head, bowed then appeared to start praying. As his voice got louder it was a humming sound not prayer, a deep resonate sound. Remaining on his knees he slowly pulled the robe over his head, underneath he was completely naked.

  His humming had now become so loud that the interior seemed to vibrate with an otherworldly power. The pulsating bulbs had now become to glow, brighter and brighter with each passing second, easily surpassing the light from the candles. Heinrich, whose eyes had remained closed during the proceedings began to smile a wide and calm. He could now sense the power within the bulbs, he reached out with both arms as if calling the power to him. Then all at once the hundreds of glowing bulbs that surrounded Heinrich fired their contents at him, concentrated bursts of pure energy hit him from all sides. In that moment he too appeared to be glowing like a miniature supernova. He gasped in either pain or pleasure, it was unknown to even him at that stage. Then as quickly as it had started it stopped, leaving Heinrich doubled over glowing like a dying ember, the air also had an ozone smell to it like a shower during a hot summer day. Heinrich slowly opened his eyes and began to laugh, however there was no warmth in the sound only madness and an unearthly quality to it.

  Chapter 24

  Wendy watched Jason and Selene walk away at the same time Heinrich was performing his ritual, a myriad of mixed emotions running through her, disappointment, worry, even a little fear, but mostly a sense of happiness. Because of her intellect she had always felt shunned by her classmates, kids her own age and even teachers. Never quite fitting in anywhere, but now with her two new friends in an atmosphere of fantasy, magic and wonder, she felt like this was exactly where she was supposed to be.

  With this last thought she sighed and turned and faced her house, a plain domicile that looked slightly untidy from the road, but as you got closer, dilapidated was a word much closer to the truth. Peeling paint, overgrown lawn, dirty windows and missing roof shingles. As Wendy approached the front door the sound of voices yelling within could be heard, hesitating a moment her hand poised on the door knob. She sighed and entered.

  Inside the sound of yelling was almost overpowering, the usual obscenities and name calling resonating through the paper thin walls. Not wanting to deal with it tonight her plan was to tip toe down the hallway, enter her bedroom and go straight to bed. However, a loose floorboard along the way had other plans for her. Wendy froze praying the squeak hadn’t been as loud as she thought. Then a rough female voice yelled out, shattering her perfect evening.

  ‘Wendy, is that you?’ The voice said.

  ‘Yes mama,’ Wendy called back.

  ‘Get your butt in here. Now!’ The voice yelled back. Wendy placed her bag by the wall and reluctantly walked towards her mother. She entered the kitchen to not surprisingly find her father, Bill, an overweight thirtysomething with a permanent five o’clock shadow on his face and a hairline that should have disappeared five years earlier, had it not been for the poorly grown comb over that had been stretched thinly across the top. Bill was a labourer at the black river brewery (should there be caps for each word) and he was currently working through a carton of company product. On the other side of the kitchen was Wendy’s mother Cheryl, a professional bingo mum, an almost painfully thin woman due to her two pack a day habit and a heavily lined and haggard face. The downward turn of her mouth suggested someone to whom joy, laughter and warmth were alien concepts.

  Cheryl turned as Wendy entered the room, a cigarette dangling from her lips, her obvious bad temper was now aimed squarely at her daughter and she was prepared to give her both barrels. Wendy tensed for what was about to come next.

  ‘So, where the hell have you been?’ Cheryl asked taking a drag of her cigarette then flicked the ash into the sink.

  ‘I was at a friend’s house. I told you that, remember,’ Wendy said quietly. ‘A friend,’ Cheryl said condescendingly. ‘I think I would remember a story like that.’

  ‘Regardless, it’s the truth, I told you last night during your cocktail party,’ Wendy said sarcastically, a flush of anger in her cheeks.

  ‘Don’t sass me girl,�
� Cheryl shot back. Bill started to laugh through a mouthful of cider. This only made Cheryl angrier.

  ‘What the hell are you laughing at?’ Cheryl accused.

  ‘I was thinking you were pretty wasted last night,’ Bill stated, this was followed by more laughter. Cheryl however didn’t like being the butt of anyone’s jokes or being proved wrong for that matter either by Bill or in front of her daughter. She spun around towards Wendy.

  ‘I think it’s time you went to bed,’ Cheryl snapped. Wendy nodded dutifully and was about to leave. ‘I hope they fed you, because there’s nothing left now.’

  ‘I had something there,’ Wendy replied then departed before anything else could be said.

  She was about to enter her bedroom when the yelling continued from the kitchen. She took a deep breath and stepped forward, the door closing quietly behind. The moment Wendy entered her room she felt the stress of the world fall away. Every inch of her room was decorated in a fantasy theme, from the posters on the walls depicting magical realms, to the miniature figurines adorning the shelves and finally the stuffed unicorns and dragons that littered her bed. Wendy flipped a switch on the wall and a patterned lamp on the ceiling started to turn followed by a child’s tune, the lamp threw out images across the room of butterflies and fairies. Unlike the rest of the house Wendy’s room was meticulously cleaned and cared for, the vibrant colours and items within had all been purchased from money she had earned tutoring other students. Wendy picked up her backpack and slumped onto her bed, lying on her side she removed a small black book decorated with silver ivy and written upon its cover it said ‘Wylde winds and ethereal fire’. Wendy clutched the book to her chest and thought from today onwards all of her dreams were going to start coming true.

  Chapter 25

  The following morning as Jason was getting ready for school, he was in the process of retrieving the books on Persian mythology with the intent on returning them. It was during this time that he noticed that two of the books in the bundle were not of the same subject matter. One was a children’s fairy tale ‘The Midnight Garden’ by Walter Remus, the dark imagery on the cover suggested something more appropriate for an adult than a child. The other book dressed in a plain white cover was titled ‘Origami for beginners’ by Haruto Tegakari. Jason knew from experience that mistakes like this didn’t just happen, however he didn’t have time right then to pursue it further, so instead bundled them into his school bag for referral at a later time.