by Marc Lindsay
‘This can’t be?’ Selene said.
‘What does this mean?’ Jason queried. Wendy stood patiently with the rock concealed in her hands.
‘I can feel it. The rock wants to go inside,’ Wendy said confidently. Jason and Selene regarded her then looked up at where the rock had led them. The entrance to the Perigord public library.
‘Not now. Tonight.
Chapter 36
The three of them returned later that night when the lights had eventually gone out. With Jason leading the way they entered quietly, the rock guiding them down the stairwell and towards a very secluded part of the library, an area that had several hallways leading off it. They were walking in almost near darkness, the only light was the moon streaming in from the stained glass high above them.
‘It’s stopped,’ Wendy whispered.
‘What’s stopped?’ Jason asked.
‘The pulling sensation in the rock. It just stopped,’ Wendy replied. They all looked carefully around, but nothing seemed obvious.
‘What do we do now,’ Selene asked in a hushed tone.
‘I don’t know. I mean we’re pretty much playing it by ear at the moment,’ Jason said wearily.
‘Yeah, it would be nice to know if this even has anything to do with the midnight garden,’ Selene said. At the mention of the midnight garden one of the hallways lit up with an iridescent blue light. Their three heads all turned at once.
‘There’s no one there,’ Selene said as she squinted to see what had caused the lights sudden appearance. Jason made a subtle transformation taking on characteristics of a wolf in an attempt to improve his senses, he scanned the hallway.
‘You’re gonna think I’m crazy but I can see trees down that hallway,’ Jason whispered.
‘Trees?’ Selene replied.
‘Yeah, trees, ferns, it looks like a forest through there,’ Jason said.
‘Not a forest. A midnight garden,’ Wendy said in hushed awe. They all fell silent at this revelation. ‘What should we do?’
Jason thought over Wendy’s question for the briefest of moments before replying.
‘We go in.’
They walked cautiously towards the entrance of the hallway, the source of the blue light appearing at the far end. Selene had her bow out with an arrow cocked ready to fire at the merest hint of danger and Jason had fully completed the change, his form now that of a large grey wolf. Only Wendy seemed unprepared for combat, her face full of wonder and excitement. They tread slowly and carefully, the walls of the hall fading and becoming the trees and ferns of a dark forest. And finally the blue light they had first witnessed was nothing more than the fluorescent glow of dozens of mushrooms, their light casting an ethereal presence upon them against the dark. Jason glanced back and saw that their way in was gone, the exit back to the library now appeared as nothing more than forest. Jason let out a whine, which made them all look back.
‘What do we do now?’ Selene asked.
‘We try and find the witch,’ Jason replied.
‘How, even with my enhanced sight, I’m struggling to see more than a metre in front of my face,’ Selene said.
Me too. It’s more than just dark, it’s like a heavy fog or something,’ Jason agreed.
‘I’ve got an idea,’ Wendy said and pulled her book from her bag. And after making a brief incantation the book opened up in her palms and a brilliant blue light burst forth. The light was so pure it seemed to push the darkness away. They now had an illuminated area around them, the equivalent of a large room. With Wendy’s magic they found more of the glowing mushrooms which were growing heavily around the entrance to a narrow trail, its borders lined with rocks and more mushrooms.
Selene gave Jason a shrug and he sighed and nodded back.
‘I suspect this is out of our hands, I get the feeling that something else is guiding us now,’ Jason said, and Selene’s words earlier about not having a choice and that their lives having a preordained fate was haunting his memory. He shook his head in the hope of ridding the negativity from his thoughts, it didn’t really work. Instead he concentrated on the task at hand.
Their progress was slow in the dark and every noise they heard seemed amplified and only added to their anxiety and worry. Every so often they would see monstrous shapes and insane eyes in the shadows and sounds of madness and nightmares, the darkness fuelling their deepest darkest imaginations. Jason led the way in his wolf form with Wendy second and Selene taking the rear, they moved in silence, their nerves on edge as the trail seemed to be leading them into a tight gorge, the walls of the forest narrow and claustrophobic. They stayed close to each other fearing the worse, when the trail suddenly opened up into a small clearing and the sight that they beheld didn’t alleviate their fears at all.
‘I don’t know if this is a good thing or a bad thing,’ Jason whispered.
‘One thing is for certain though, if a witch was to be living anywhere in this realm, this would be it,’ Selene said. In the clearing to their front was a small wooden shack, its timber walls ancient and grey, ivy and moss growing heavily on its surface. The thatched roof had seen better days with an old oak tree growing out through it and covering the shack like an old umbrella, as well as a stone chimney with plumes of smoke lazily spilling out. The windows were bordered up with timber shutters but a green light could be seen emanating from within through the cracks and holes in the walls. Surrounding the shack were lanterns giving off more of the same green light.
‘We are definitely going to regret doing this?’ Jason said rhetorically. As he transformed back to his human form and made his way down a cobbled path leading to the shack’s front door. As they passed one of the lanterns Selene made an effort to see what exactly was creating the green light from within, what she saw made her gasp.
‘What is it?’ Wendy asked.
‘I think it’s a fairy?’ Selene replied unsure. They all stopped to get a better look. Inside the lantern, which on closer inspection actually resembled a small cage mounted atop a timber pole, was a small humanoid figure, with wings much like a dragonfly’s. The figure wore rough clothing that was little more than a loin cloth, but what had really drawn the gasp from Selene was the creature’s head, most of it appeared to be a cruel and lethal mouth full of sharp needle teeth and three tiny black alien eyes.
‘To call it a fairy, was like saying that a bat is just a bird. They all peered closer at the small being, its skin giving off a luminous green light. The creature started to shriek and batter against the steel bars of its cage, with no effect.
‘I’m glad that thing is stuck in there?’ Wendy said. Selene’s gaze was then drawn to the fact that there were close to a dozen of these lanterns spread out around the shack.
‘Me too,’ Selene said. They continued towards the shack weaving their way along the path, its edges lined with thick shrubbery. They were nearly within twenty feet of the shack when two large figures stood up from the bushes in matching stances of controlled aggression. They were human in form, one male and the other female, lean, muscular and naked. Adorning their heads grew enormous antlers, just like a stag. Jason wasn’t sure if it was the darkness or not, but their features and nakedness appeared blurred, obscured, something he couldn’t quite explain. The three of them stood transfixed by the deathly still were-stags, the silence deafening. Jason was the first to break the silence.
‘Ahem. We mean you no harm,’ Jason stammered. This elicited no response.
‘We’re here to see the witch,’ Wendy blurted out, again silence.
‘This is getting us nowhere,’ Selene sighed, her patience worn thin. She took a pace forward and the two were-stags turned their gazes upon her, a dim red gleam in their eyes.
‘Selene wait,’ Jason said softly. The were-stags continued to watch Selene their bodies tense but still. ‘I think we should play this cool?’ Jason said.
‘That would be a very good idea Mr Page,’ a crusty weathered voice called out.’
They all look
ed towards the cottage where only moments earlier had been deathly quiet, now however, there stood a cloaked figure.
‘Really, cloaked?’ Selene whispered and Jason gave her a nudge with his elbow.
‘You know me?’ Jason asked the figure.
‘I know you all. Jason Page, part alien shape-shifter. Selene Jaeger, Greymeade champion and finally Wendy Rothchild, descendent of Vert,’ The cloaked figure said, her voice becoming thick with anger.
‘I have nothing to do with my uncle,’ Wendy appealed, worry plastered all over her face.
‘If I thought that you had any ties with that man, you would all be dead,’ the figure said matter of fact. This information didn’t set any of their minds at ease. Their silence made the figure laugh, only there wasn’t anything warm or friendly to it. ‘Relax, if I meant you harm, we would be duelling now, would we not?’
‘Okay. Can we talk?’ Jason asked tensely.
‘I thought that was what we were currently doing?’ the figure said.
‘Maybe we could have a discussion under less threatening circumstances,’ Selene said, indicating the two were-stags standing guard.
‘I know why you’re here, and yes we can talk inside,’ the figure said indicating the shack.
‘None of this is making me feel that confident,’ Selene whispered. Jason ignored her.
‘That would be great,’ Jason said attempting a smile and failed drastically.
The inside of the cabin was an excursion into the surreal. A fireplace was crackling away underneath a large bubbling cauldron. Shelves were lined with coloured bottles and jars, each one labelled with exotic ingredients. Herbs and roots hung from the ceiling alongside the bones of small animals and a one eyed black cat lay on a rocking chair made from the gnarled branches of an old tree.
‘Wow, this is so brothers Grimm,’ Wendy said utterly fascinated with her surroundings. The figure ignored this comment.
‘Please take a seat,’ The figure said indicating a bear skin rug on the floor. They all hesitated a moment, Jason nodded reluctantly and they all sat down looking rather uncomfortable.
‘So let’s start by you telling me why you are here?’ the figure asked.
‘I thought you already knew why we were here,’ Selene replied.
‘I knew you’d be coming, but not the reason,’ The figure said.
‘What’s your name?’ Jason asked. The figure straightened somewhat.
‘Doom, Zelata Doom,’ the figure said, pride evident in her voice. ‘I have been since before the sinking of Atlantis. Her words hung heavy in the air.
Ms Doom, we have come here seeking help,’ Jason said respectfully.
‘And what makes you think I can or would?’ Zelata asked, as she shooed the cat from the rocking chair and took a seat. Jason paused as he chose his next words very carefully.
‘There is something Mr Vert has that we wish to acquire,’ Jason said.
‘You wish to steal from the sorcerer Vert?’ Zelata enquired, surprise and a hint of mirth in her voice.
‘Yes, but it’s not for our own gain, rather to prevent another from seizing the prize,’ Selene answered.
‘Interesting… and what would I get if I choose to aid you?’ Zelata asked slyly.
‘What would you get?’ Jason repeated.
‘Of course, you don’t expect me to help you for nothing do you?’ Zelata cackled.
‘But I thought…’
‘You thought I would do anything to help you and in doing so, get my revenge,’ Zelata said.
‘Well, yeah, we just assumed that you would be willing to help. Seeing as our interests have a common goal,’ Jason said sheepishly.
‘As attractive as your offer is, I don’t owe you or your friends anything, and my talents and knowledge do not come cheap,’ Zelata said.
‘What do you want then?’ Selene asked growing impatient.
‘Right to the heart of it, eh,’ Zelata chuckled with glee. ‘Leave it to a warrior woman to speak her mind.’
‘You have something in mind, I take it?’ Jason asked.
‘As a matter of fact I do. A task,’ Zelata said.
‘And if we do this task, you can help us?’ Wendy asked.
‘I can. But if you agree to this bargain, there is no turning back,’ Zelata said.
‘Jeez, that doesn’t sound ominous?’ Jason said and sighed. ‘Can we have a moment?’
‘Of course,’ Zelata said, but made no intention to move. Jason turned to his companions and they huddled together.
‘Am I the only one whose internal safety alarm is flashing wildly?’ Selene said.
‘I know; this seems about as dodgy as it gets. I don’t want to say yes unless we’re all on board, okay,’ Jason said soberly.
‘I’m in,’ Wendy blurted out.
‘Hey, don’t do anything rash. I will still respect you if you choose to decline,’ Jason said, but Wendy stood firm.
‘I’m in. I told you, this is all I’ve ever wanted. No way are you leaving me out,’ Wendy said boldly.
‘Good for you,’ Zelata said, and despite the fact that her face was hidden Jason knew with every fibre of his being that she was grinning broadly.
‘I’ll ask politely Ma’am, can you stay out of our little discussion,’ Jason said irritably.
‘As you wish,’ Zelata said.
‘I’m in too,’ Selene blurted out. Jason sighed.
‘Bloody hell, have you two got a death wish or something?’
Jason stood up and faced the witch his stance firm.
‘I. We agree. But I’m warning you, I know how these things go. Don’t try and screw us around,’ Jason said.
‘I wouldn’t dream of it,’ Zelata said, and again Jason knew the witch was grinning.
‘So why don’t you explain the small print to us then,’ Jason said firmly.
Zelata had led them over to a corner of the shack where a large ornately carved cabinet stood taking up most of the wall. On closer inspection the carvings were of screaming and wailing faces. Every inch was a masterpiece of pain and misery.
‘Well this is lovely, is it sort of like a hope chest or something?’ Selene said, Jason nudged her with his elbow.
So which is it child, guild member or library champion. I’m sure Ursula would be very disappointed if you don’t take up the family mantle, especially after what happened to your mother,’ Zelata said.
‘What do you know about my mother?’ Selene said.
‘Oh, nothing. Just making polite conversation,’ Zelata said smoothly.
‘If you think th…’
Jason steered her away from Zelata.
‘She’s just trying to get under your skin. Ignore her,’ Jason said, turning his attention back to the witch. ‘So how are you going to help us?’
‘With this,’ Zelata said, and removed a large silver key with a small skull at its base from within her cloak, she inserted the key and slowly opened the cabinet with a loud groan. Jason attempted to see what nightmares lay within, but the witch was covert in her actions, the door opening just enough for her to get an arm in and pull a small pouch out. She was quick to lock the door, the key disappearing within her tunic.
‘What I have in my hand is a very special rune. You may have already realised but Vert’s estate is heavily protected by magical wards, wards designed to keep others out and protect their master,’ Zelata said. Selene and Jason nodded, the memory of their last excursion onto the sorcerer’s estate still fresh. Zelata pulled open the drawstring and opened the pouch removing a small metallic pendant. Holding it up so that they could see, the pendant had what looked like the number five inscribed on its surface. On closer inspection the top of the five looked more like a cross and the bottom flicked out more like a scythe.
‘It is known as the Seal of Saturn. Made from lead it pre-dates medieval times. Very rare,’ Zelata said. Selene reached out to touch it, only to have the pendant snatched away and placed back within the pouch.
‘Uh, uh, uh
, not until you have completed your part of the bargain,’ Zelata admonished.
‘Which is?’ Jason said, waiting for the rug to be pulled out from underneath them.
‘You must travel to Arl’yeh and retrieve an element for me, known as the Icarus stone. This element is a pure white rock,’ Zelata said.
‘First up, how do we get to Arl’yeh and second, how will we be able to find this Icarus stone?’ Jason asked.
‘You will take Custos and Vigil with you. They will lead your way. But once you arrive at Arl’yeh they will go no further. And as for how you will locate the Icarus stone, that is your problem. You found your way into the midnight garden, I believe that the three of you possess the necessary skills and attributes to find the stone,’ Zelata said cryptically.
‘I don’t know what you mean,’ Jason said confused.
‘I I’m guessing she already knows that we’re meant to be here, that this is preordained,’ Wendy answered.
‘Very good child, you are extremely clever. There is one more thing that I must inform you,’ Zelata said.
‘And what is that?’ Selene asked.
‘You must all complete this task very soon. If you are still here in the midnight garden before the sun comes up. You will be stuck here for eternity,’ Zelata said.
‘WHAT,’ all three teenagers said at once.
‘I’m sorry, did I forget to mention that earlier,’ Zelata said.
‘YEAH, YOU KINDA DID!’ Jason said, realising that they’d been duped. ‘This changes every…….’
‘THIS CHANGES NOTHING,’ Zelata said, her voice echoing through the shack. ‘You have gone into an agreement with me, that is binding or you risk forfeiture of your very souls.’
Jason massaged the area of his nose located immediately between his eyes, as if the grand-daddy of headaches had just arrived, then running both hands through his hair he let out a sigh.
‘I’ve only myself to blame, after all what should you expect if you make a deal with the devil,’ Jason sighed.
What indeed,’ Zelata said and for the first time Jason did see a predatory grin gleam from beneath her hood. ‘Once you have brought me the Icarus stone, I’ll hand over the Seal of Saturn. In that what I say is true.’
