Ghosts of Perigord

by Marc Lindsay

  So in other words, we don’t really have a choice do we?’ Jason sighed. Zelata shook her head. ‘And while I stand here trying desperately how to figure a way out of this mess, time is running out?’ Zelata nodded. Jason let out a curse and Wendy blushed.

  ‘Custos and Vigil are waiting, they already know where and what is expected of them,’ Zelata said and pointed to the door. ‘By my estimation I would guess that you have about five hours before your dawn arrives.’ Zelata then pointed to the door. Jason took a deep breath and was about to say something pointed but before he could retort Selene grabbed him by the arm and half dragged him towards the exit with Wendy in tow. As they disappeared through the door Wendy stopped and waved.

  ‘Goodbye no……’

  Selene grabbed her before she finished the sentiment and pulled her through the door.

  ‘For someone so smart, sometimes you can be a real idiot,’ Selene said. And the shack door slammed hard behind them.

  The three of them stood before the imposing still figures of Custos and Vigil.

  ‘We’ve been told that you’re aware of our mission?’ Jason asked. Silence was all he received in response. ‘Great.’

  ‘We don’t have a lot of time, so how about we start this, okay,’ Selene said gruffly. At first there was no response then the male were-stag let out an ear splitting bellow and from out of the darkness the entrance to a path lit up. Two steel lanterns exactly like the ones that were littered around the shack appearing like magic in the gloom, they walked cautiously towards the lanterns and could now see more leading down a thin trail. Before any of them could say anything, Custos and Vigil bolted past them and down the trail, their movement and speed like wraiths in the night.

  ‘This whole thing tonight is going to be like eating a crap sandwich,’ Jason said broodily and transformed into a large black panther.

  ‘Well then it’s a good thing we brought plenty of bread,’ Selene said. ‘Wendy you might want to climb on.’ Selene indicated Jason’s back, and without another word Selene took off down the trail as well, her speed almost in tune with that of the were-stags. Wendy had barely climbed aboard the small saddle on Jason’s back when he let out a roar and took off in pursuit as well.

  The were-stags moved with an efficiency and fluidity that Jason both admired and feared, they almost seemed one with nature. Jason and Selene were no slouches in the speed department either as they trailed slightly behind the mute were’s. Wendy was leaning forward in the saddle gripping Jason tightly, she was watching the passing lanterns intently, each one containing one of the vicious looking fairies they had observed earlier at the witch’s shack. The trail seemed to go on and on, Jason wasn’t sure exactly how long they had been running for, time being an essential issue on their mission.

  ‘How much further,’ Jason growled. But the were-stags ignored his questions.

  ‘They probably can’t understand you in your cat form,’ Selene called back, her voice barely breathing hard.

  ‘I doubt it, I think it’s more likely that they’re just dicks,’ Jason muttered.

  ‘Sssshhhh, they’ll hear you,’ Wendy said with a giggle, but Jason seemed nonplussed.

  ‘After the way the old hag tricked us back there, I don’t really care if I hurt the feelings of tweedle dee and dum up ahead,’ Jason said loudly. They came up onto a rise and Jason skidded to a halt. The were-stags and Selene had stopped.

  ‘My God you two have to see this,’ Selene said in awe.

  ‘What are you talking about?’ Jason asked, as Wendy jumped off and he changed back into his human form. The female were-stag was staring at Jason and the male was pointing ahead. Jason stared down at a valley not much different to the one that housed Perigord, despite the perpetual night he was able to see clearly what the were-stag was pointing to, an enormous walled city, its size was staggering.

  ‘That can’t be?’ Jason said. ‘How big is this midnight garden? And what is that down there?’

  I’m pretty sure that’s our destination. That’s Arl’yeh,’ Wendy exclaimed.

  Chapter 37

  They made their way down quickly, a sense of urgency pushing them along the trail. When they finally arrived at the gates to the city, the three of them were filled with a sense of impending dread. The stone walls of Arl’yeh easily stood close to fifty feet in height and the closed gates comprised of steel and timber and looked like they could keep out an invading army.

  ‘I don’t know about you two, but I’m feeling rather inadequate right now,’ Jason said.

  ‘I think flight will be our only option into the city,’ Selene said to Jason. Nodding he transformed before them into that of a large hawk, spreading his massive wings out as he prepared to take off. But before he could depart the female were-stag waved her arms in an attempt to get their attention.

  ‘I think she’s trying to tell us something,’ Wendy said.

  ‘What is it?’ Selene asked. The were-stag pointed at Jason and shook her head. ‘What don’t you want Jason to do?’

  The male were-stag stepped forward and grabbed a large rock from the ground.

  ‘What’s he doing?’ Wendy asked as Jason turned back to his human form standing next to her.

  ‘I’m not sure?’ He replied.

  The were-stag threw the rock high into the air, proving first that not only did he possess superhuman speed and stamina but also strength as the rock sailed much higher than the wall itself. They all watched the trajectory of the rock, wondering as to the point of this lesson when seemingly out of nowhere dozens of dark figures descended upon it, their shapes a cross between that of eagles and repulsive looking hags, their demented wailing and screaming piercing the night air. They all covered their ears in a futile effort to bar the nightmarish sounds. They watched as the hags swooped at the rock, their claws slashing at the smaller object, upon realising what it was the hags disappeared from sight.

  ‘Well that idea’s a bust,’ Jason said.

  ‘Thank you,’ Wendy said to the male were-stag. ‘It’s Custos, right?’ the were-stag nodded. ‘And you’re Vigil?’ The female nodded as well.

  ‘I appreciate what you did for Jason,’ Selene added. This time both were-stags bowed their heads.

  ‘If I can’t fly then how do we get in?’ Jason asked. Custos remained as silent as possible, but instead pointed to the gate in front of them.

  ‘Without the key, we’d need an Army or a giant to…’

  ‘I think I can handle this,’ Jason said, cutting Selene off. He turned into a massive tree, human hybrid, limbs and torso became gnarled, twisted and powerful. His face a crude caricature of a humans, dark and knotted, leaves and twigs sprouting all over his head and body. Jason’s height and size dwarfing even the were-stags. He slowly approached the gate his footfalls causing small tremors on the ground. Placing his massive hands on the gate, Jason attempted to push it open. The gate didn’t budge an inch.

  ‘Hold tight,’ Jason said, his voice a booming creak. His hands forming into fists he brought them down hard attempting to smash it open. There was a deafening explosion as timber struck timber and steel, but again the gates remained closed. Jason tried one more time bringing up one foot and kicking forward, third time not being the charm. He changed back to human.

  ‘Maybe brute force isn’t the key, no pun intended,’ Wendy said.

  ‘No you’re right, I think a key is needed. But not in the general sense,’ Selene said cryptically.

  ‘I’m not following you,’ Jason said.

  ‘I’m pretty sure Zelata had a fair idea of what was to lay ahead of us, and under that assumption, she knew that we would possess the tools to make it through to our prize,’ Selene said.

  ‘You know what they say about assumptions,’ Jason replied.

  ‘Yeah, but under the circumstances, I think remaining optimistic is our only option,’ Selene said.

  ‘Well let’s summarise the things that are off the table,’ Wendy said.

  ‘Flight is
out of the question and I think we can rule out brute strength as well,’ Selene said.

  ‘The witch has given us no information other than our immediate mission and the help of the stag twins here,’ Jason said frustrated.

  ‘Which they have been doing,’ Wendy added quickly.

  ‘I suppose,’ Jason said reluctantly.

  ‘I don’t think my abilities are going to be of much help either, which leaves only one thing….’ Selene said, Wendy and Jason waited for her to finish her sentence. ‘It’s you Wendy.’

  ‘Me?’ She replied.

  ‘This whole realm, place, whatever you want to call it. This midnight garden is a complete magical fabrication. It only makes sense that Wendy more than likely has the ability required to get us through,’ Selene said.

  ‘I don’t know what you expect me to do?’ Wendy asked.

  ‘Something magicy I’m guessing?’ Jason said sheepishly. Selene looked at Jason and rolled her eyes.

  ‘Why don’t you start by looking at the gate and we’ll go from there,’ Selene suggested. Wendy gulped then nodded, removing her book from her bag she cautiously approached the imposing gate. On closer inspection despite its immense size, there was nothing on first glance that would indicate a method of entry. Wendy tentatively reached her hand out.

  ‘Be careful we don’t…’ Jason never finished his sentence as Wendy’s fingers grazed the surface of the gate she was struck by a psychic backlash that held her in place, as if she were being electrocuted. Jason leapt to her defence.

  ‘STOP!’ Selene yelled. Jason did, inches from the younger girl’s side. ‘You don’t know what’s happening.’

  ‘So I just stand here twiddling my thumbs,’ Jason growled angrily.

  ‘You could do more harm than good.’

  ‘We have to do something,’ Jason urged. Wendy was statue still, arms outstretched and her face frozen, with eyes wide open in shock, she was completely unresponsive externally, however internally Wendy was being bombarded with images and symbols flashing faster than thought.

  ‘This has gone on for long enough,’ Jason fumed.

  ‘No, wait, what are you going to do?’ Selene yelled just as Jason grabbed Wendy by the shoulders. ‘JASON STOP!’

  As soon as his hands touched Wendy they were both thrown back in a powerful psychic back surge. They landed heavily, Jason bearing the brunt of the impact. Selene was immediately at their side.

  ‘What happened?’ Jason muttered groggily.

  ‘Oh, thank God, you’re alright, you two scared the crap out of me,’ Selene said relieved. At that moment Wendy who was still cradled in Jason’s arms stirred with a groan.

  ‘Where am I?’ she whispered.

  ‘For starters, alive,’ Selene said. Wendy’s confused stare required further information. ‘As soon as you touched the gate, it was as if you had been struck by lightning, if it wasn’t for Jason you still might be there.’

  At the mention of Jason’s name, it dawned on the younger girl of her current position. She glanced up at Jason’s concerned face and blushed profusely.

  ‘I’m so sorry,’ Wendy stammered apologetically as she stumbled to her feet, with the aid of Selene keeping her steady.

  ‘You really don’t remember anything?’ Jason asked dusting the dirt from his clothes.

  ‘It’s starting to come back to me now. Especially the part about getting into the city,’ Wendy said thoughtfully.

  They sat Wendy down on a nearby rock and gave her some water from a flask that Selene had brought with her, before grilling her for information.

  ‘So start from the beginning?’ Selene said. Wendy took a deep breath and told them what she had learnt.

  ‘You were right about me being the one to find a way in. This place is magical, but it’s more than that too, especially where this city is concerned. Arl’yeh is the city of the dead,’ Wendy said.

  ‘What does that mean?’ Jason asked.

  ‘It means that this is one of the many realms that attracts spirits,’ Wendy said.

  ‘Spirits?’ Jason replied.

  ‘Among other things. The midnight garden is a nexus point here on earth, where spirits that don’t go on into the afterlife come. There are other things as well,’ Wendy said ominously.

  ‘What other things?’ Selene asked.

  ‘We would refer to them as demons, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Beings that have haunted mankind’s dreams and nightmares reside in Arl’yeh. Some are benign but there are those that would see us come to harm,’ Wendy said with a shiver.

  ‘But why?’ Jason asked.

  Because evil never sleeps, it exists for nothing more than to be a part of chaos and anarchy. It wants us to fail, and in failure remain here and become a part of all of this,’ Wendy said.

  ‘Well I can honestly say, that I’m officially creeped out right now,’ Jason said casting a glance at the gate into Arl’yeh.

  ‘Me too, but that doesn’t change the fact that we still have to go in, right,’ Selene said.

  ‘But now I know what’s preventing our entry and more importantly how to fix it.

  The secret is in the title, City of the dead. Only the dead may enter,’ Wendy said.

  ‘Well that’s easy then, we just need to die, then we can enter,’ Jason said sarcastically.

  ‘Sssshhhh, I think she’s just getting to that part,’ Selene said impatiently.

  ‘From what I’ve learnt in my limited exposure to magic, is that even though there are rules that govern its use, like almost everything else it can be bent and manipulated,’ Wendy said.

  ‘Do you know how to get us in?’ Selene asked.

  ‘I think my book may have the answers we require,’ Wendy replied.

  ‘Do you think that’s such a great idea?’ Jason said uneasily, the mention of the book and the image of Wendy’s possession still fresh in his mind.

  ‘Of course, that’s why I brought it after all,’ Wendy replied as she pulled it from her bag. After whispering to it, the book flew open, pages flipping under their own accord, pages Jason noted that held no text. After a few seconds the pages stopped turning and lay open. Wendy quickly reviewed its content and a smile slowly spread across her face.

  ‘Ah, this should work perfectly,’ she announced.

  ‘What will?’ Jason asked, a little too suspiciously.

  ‘A simple spell really, that will render our forms intangible,’ Wendy said.

  ‘Intangible. What does that mean?’ Jason asked.

  ‘It means that our bodies will be able to pass through solid objects like a ghost,’ Wendy said proudly.

  ‘Will we be invisible?’ Selene asked.

  ‘No, not quite. Less vibrant, dull. You know when you wake up some mornings and your eyes feel blurry and it takes you a few seconds to focus. Well that’s how we will appear to others. There are a couple of warnings that go with the spell,’ Wendy said.

  ‘What warnings?’ Selene asked.

  Once the spell has been rendered, it is up to the individual to maintain their own concentration to hold it. The first problem with that is if you slip as you’re phasing through the wall your lesser density will cause you to become crushed within the wall,’ Wendy said.

  ‘Ouch,’ Jason winced at the thought of that image.

  ‘What’s the second problem?’ Selene said.

  ‘Well, the other problem is that the longer you remain in that ghost like form the harder it is to will yourself back,’ Wendy said.

  ‘You mean we could remain like ghosts forever,’ Selene said.

  ‘Even worse, after a time your molecules would eventual fade into nothing,’ Wendy said.

  ‘But if we only do it for a short period, we’ll be fine?’ Selene asked.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘And how short a period are we talking anyway?’ Jason asked.

  ‘Not more than a minute,’ Wendy said confidently.

  ‘And you’re sure there’s no other spell in there that could help?�
� Selene asked.

  ‘Dead sure,’ Wendy replied quickly. Both Jason and Selene didn’t like that response.

  ‘So what do you need to conduct the spell?’ Jason asked.

  Only that the three of us be touching while I make the incantation,’ Wendy said.

  ‘One last question?’ Selene asked. ‘How exactly do we concentrate on holding our bodies together?’ Wendy thought this over then whispered to the book. There was no response but she nodded as if there had been.

  ‘Have you ever had to remember a phone number while looking for something to write it on?’ Wendy said. They both nodded. ‘Well it’s kind of the same thing only this time you’re trying to remember that you’re whole. Picture your body in its entirety and that you’re holding it together. I can’t really explain any better than that,’ Wendy said.

  ‘Sounds rather vague, but the longer we stand around and talk about it and other options time is a wasting,’ Selene said.

  ‘Well if that’s settled let’s get started,’ Jason said, then as an afterthought he looked over at the two were-stags. ‘Are you two going to wait here for us?’ Jason enquired. There was no verbal response but they both nodded their acknowledgement.

  Wendy made them stand in a tight circle with their hands clasped tight over each other’s shoulders, with only her hands free to hold and read from her book.

  ‘Now close your eyes and say and do nothing,’ Wendy commanded. They nodded and followed her instructions. Wendy began to murmur the words from the book, Jason and Selene were unable to make out precisely what she was saying as the younger girl’s voice sounded more like a hum than anything intelligible, not to mention they were both trying hard to follow her earlier advice and concentrate on their physical bodies.

  Both Jason and Selene were deep in thought when they heard Wendy’s voice call out to them instructing them to open their eyes. Jason assumed the spell had failed as he didn’t feel any different, but when he opened his eyes he was shocked to discover the world around him had lost its colour. Both Selene and Wendy were completely grey and almost out of focus.