by Marc Lindsay
Chapter 39
The following morning Ulysses joined Amelia and Kava for breakfast after a long sleepless night, thoughts of doubt had plagued his dreams with the little sleep he did achieve.
‘Ah my good friend, you look like what the proverbial cat dragged in. What did you get up to last night?’ Kava enquired with a smirk. Amelia helped Ulysses into a chair and poured him a cup of tea. Trying his best not to feel miserable Ulysses forced a smile on his face.
‘So, what are your plans for your final day in Perigord?’ Ulysses asked dismissing Kava’s question.
‘A morning planned with the lovely Helen Page,’ Kava said. Both Ulysses and Amelia looked surprised at this news.
‘Do you think it wise, to court Jason’s mother when it can’t lead to anything serious, you might hurt the woman’s feelings, not to mention Jason’s?’ Ulysses asked.
‘You worry too much, those kids have got you wound up too tight,’ Kava said casually.
‘We worry because we care, those children have proven themselves to be honourable and loyal. We can’t be anything but in return,’ Amelia said.
‘She’s right. I don’t want to see Jason and his mother hurt,’ Ulysses said.
‘Okay, okay, you’ve made your point. But I never had any intention on hurting the woman or the boy,’ Kava said.
‘We haven’t been able to find your missing parchment,’ Ulysses said changing the conversation.
‘That is regrettable, it will make matters more difficu…,’ Kava stopped mid-sentence.
‘What more difficult?’ Ulysses prompted. Kava waved the idea away.
‘Nothing, I was only thinking about the display,’ Kava said.
‘Speaking of which, you haven’t mentioned anything about the mace? Have you been successful in acquiring it?’ Ulysses asked.
‘Mr Vert has proven to be quite the negotiator. But I have a plan that may just deliver it into my hands by the end of the day, usquequaque have a intentio b’ Kava said cryptically. Ulysses gave him an odd look.
‘Well, whatever the case I hope that you’re successful,’ Ulysses said.
On the other side of town Jason awoke to find that the sun was well and truly up, his sleep from the previous night’s adventures had tired him more than he had thought. After making his way downstairs he was dismayed to find a note left by his mother, detailing her plans for a picnic with Kava.
‘CRAP,’ Jason thundered, punching the air in a dramatic fashion. ‘I swear one way or another I’ll be done with that man by the end of the day.’
Jason didn’t waste any time going directly over to Selene’s house, his mother’s note still fresh in his mind. Selene greeted him at the front door and led him through to the kitchen where Ursula and Wendy were chatting over an ample breakfast which the young girl was digging into with gusto.
‘Good morning Jason,’ Ursula said offering a chair to her new visitor.
‘Well you’re half right,’ Jason replied grumpily, slumping down into the available seat.
‘Please eat and you can tell us all about it,’ Ursula prompted. Pushing a plate of steaming German sausage towards him. Normally the aromatic smell of Ursula’s cooking would have Jason elbowing others out of the way for a bite, but the thought of his mother out on a date with Kava had left him with a bitter taste in his mouth.
‘I’m not really that hungry,’ Jason sighed.
‘Rubbish. With the day you have ahead of you, you will need to keep your body fresh and your mind sharp. Not having your thoughts wandering at a crucial moment,’ Ursula said firmly. Jason knew from previous experience that it was pointless arguing with the older woman, instead he pulled a plate towards himself and commenced loading up a generous portion of food, then told them about the note his mother had left, between rants about what a rat Kava was.
Jason was nearly finished with his breakfast by the time he was done.
‘Well, one thing’s for certain?’ Selene said.
‘What’s that?’ Jason asked through a mouthful of food.
‘Kava’s going to be too busy with your mum to retrieve the mace this morning,’ Wendy chimed in.
‘Yeah, that’s just dandy,’ Jason grumbled.
‘She’s right you know. He’ll not move on Vert till at least mid-day. That is if you’re right about him?’ Ursula said.
‘Oh I am. He’s definitely got my Uncle’s seal. I’d bet my left arm on it,’ Jason said with utter conviction.
‘I hope you’re right then,’ Ursula said and left the room.
‘Have I said someth…’
‘Relax, I think I know where she’s gone off to,’ Selene said.
‘So. What now?’ Wendy asked enthusiastically. Jason and Selene both gave a short sigh at her eagerness to leap into the lion’s den.
‘I believe speed is the key, but armed with liberal amounts of stealth. We move through the orchard, like before…’
‘Why not fly directly to his house and…’ Wendy was cut off by Selene.
‘We’re not even sure if the Seal of Saturn works, so if for whatever reason the seal fails, we can turn around with, hopefully minimum casualty, but if we’re hit in the air, I don’t like Jason’s chances of out-manoeuvring those crows and us not falling from his grasp,’ Selene said.
‘Or we manage to get into his house, the seal fails and we are trapped or overwhelmed,’ Jason added.
‘What, even with all our abilities?’ Wendy asked.
‘Better to be prepared and plan for the worst,’ Ursula said entering the room, a large black military bag on hand.
That’s right,’ Jason agreed.
‘Like I always say about the seven P’s…….’
‘They already know,’ Selene interrupted with a smile, which was returned.
‘I’ve taught you too well,’ Ursula said proudly.
‘What’s in the bag?’ Wendy asked.
The seven P’s. Hopefully everything that you’ll ever need and more,’ Ursula said. Wendy turned to Jason.
‘When do we leave?’
‘Right now,’ Jason said grimly.
Chapter 40
Ulysses sat at his desk, twirling an ancient Mayan dagger absentmindedly between his fingers. His thoughts struggling with a long forgotten memory. He was roused from this mood by the intrusion of Ms Jax who burst into his office with a clipboard, Amelia stopped in her tracks when she saw his troubled expression.
‘What’s wrong?’ She asked.
‘Nothing,’ Ulysses replied, too fast.
‘Even someone who doesn’t know you as well as I do can see that something’s wrong,’ Ms Jax said.
‘It’s nothing. I mean it’s just something Kava said before he left,’ Ulysses said.
‘What?’
‘Do you remember when he said ‘Usquequaque have a intentio b’,’ Ulysses said.
‘Vaguely, why, what does it mean?’ Ms Jax asked.
‘It’s Latin, it roughly translates to ‘Always have a plan b,’ Ulysses said.
‘And this it odd how?’
‘Not the statement but rather it being spoken in the language of the Roman scholar,’ Ulysses said. Ms Jax shrugged. ‘In all the years that I’ve known Kava, he has never spoken Latin.’
‘People change,’
‘Kava hated Rome, although the reasons for this he kept to himself. He never spoke the language. He would even go so far as to shun those that spoke it,’ Ulysses said perplexed.
‘So what does it mean?’ Ms Jax asked.
‘That’s the million-dollar question isn’t it?’
Chapter 41
Jason, Selene and Wendy were standing at the point of their previous entry into Mr Vert’s orchard, dressed in garb similar to that of a Special Forces, black operations team and outfitted with all manner of emergency equipment in their possession. They were trained and equipped to deal with any contingency and they hoped that was enough.
‘So how does this work?’ Wendy asked.
‘Well with what
you have been able to decipher from your book, you’ll channel your power into the Seal of Saturn and hopefully increase its protective abilities. Then we move with utmost haste towards your Uncle’s house, that’s when the fun will really begin,’ Selene said.
‘Yes fun. It wouldn’t be so bad if your Uncle were out of the house while we’re conducting our, er, robbery, for want of a better word,’ Jason said.
‘I’ve got an idea about that,’ Selene said with a sly grin.
‘Do I want to know,’ Jason grinned back.
Wendy sat crossed legged on the ground with her book in one hand and the Seal in the other. After several minutes of meditating she began uttering a series of words over and over, their meaning unknown to Jason and Selene. As she uttered the words the Seal of Saturn began to glow a searing white light until Jason thought that it couldn’t get any brighter, then it pulsed in a nova burst of brilliant light then died instantly. Wendy slowly opened her eyes and smiled.
‘Did it work?’ Selene asked.
‘I believe it has,’ Wendy replied.
‘Then let’s go,’ Jason said impatiently and transformed into a centaur, his clothing and armour remained on his torso and a large black saddle appeared on his horse’s back, all courtesy of his alien clothing. The two girls climbed onto Jason’s back, Wendy marvelled at the speed of his transformation and the change in his attire.
‘After today would you consider giving me a suit as well?’ Wendy asked.
‘Of course,’ Jason said.
‘We’ll consider,’ Selene added as Jason took off at a gallop leaping the tall boundary fence in one leap.
Jason’s progress through the orchard was good despite the weight of his two passengers and Wendy was true to her word, the Seal of Saturn was working to protect them from Mr Vert’s magical defences. The Scarecrows that they passed remained still and immobile on their wooden crosses as well as their black avian partners who watched them with their black cold eyes.
‘I’m so happy with this spell,’ Wendy beamed.
‘I just hope that whatever those crows see doesn’t alert Vert,’ Selene said.
‘Hey you rhymed,’ Wendy said with a grin, Jason choked back a laugh. Selene looked back at Wendy and shook her head and dug her knees into Jason just enough to let him know not to encourage the younger girl.
They made good time arriving near their final destination, The Vert residence, apart from Wendy, Jason and Selene hadn’t seen his house before and for once the rumour mill’s talk concerning its frightening visage were accurate. The house was gigantic, especially considering that it only housed the single occupant. Like a lot of structures in Perigord it was built using bluestone, Jason estimated its size to that of a football field, three floors high, with sweeping verandas. In earlier years its appearance would have been breathtaking but time hadn’t been kind as this once beautiful mansion now looked derelict and abandoned.
‘Sshheeessshhh. All this place needs is a lightning storm and it would give Bram Stoker nightmares,’ Jason pondered. The girls dismounted from him and he transformed back into his human form, his clothing spreading back to his lower half.
‘So what was this plan you mentioned earlier?’ Wendy asked.
‘A diversion to make Mr Vert leave the confines of his home and keep him away for a sufficient period of time until we can complete our mission,’ Selene said.
‘And this would entail you doing what?’ Jason asked.
‘I was thinking about a small series of fires within his orchard,’ Selene said.
‘I don’t want to cause too much damage. He hasn’t done anything to us,’ Jason said.
‘Don’t worry. It’ll look a lot worse than it actually is, the pyrotechnics I plan for us to use will pack more sound and smoke than actual fire and mayhem,’ Selene said confidently.
‘I wasn’t worried until you mentioned pyrotechnics,’ Jason replied.
‘One question?’ Wendy asked.
‘What,’ Selene replied.
‘How do you plan on setting up the explosives without being detected? We only have the one Seal and we can’t split the team and both be protected? Right?’ Wendy said.
‘I believe you have the power within you Wendy, I’m not going to say that it’ll be easy, but you need to expand the protective power of the Seal. Can you try?’ Selene asked. Wendy nodded. ‘And as for the explosives my Grandmother packed a timer, but we only have five,’ Selene said.
‘A timer. I’m really feeling uncomfortable about setting off timed explosives. I mean as far as we’re concerned Mr Vert isn’t a criminal and his orchard is a very real and important part of the community,’ Jason said.
‘I promise apart from a lot of smoke and maybe a smidge of fire, this won’t harm his property,’ Selene said squeezing his hand gently. Jason’s tension was alleviated somewhat by this omission. ‘Besides I’m sure Wendy can whip up some water if needed, she is an elemental after all.’
‘Yeah, of course I could,’ Wendy beamed.
‘Not funny,’ Jason grumbled. ‘Both of you. Right, so once Selene’s diversion has gone off Selene will wait at that high point over there,’ Jason indicated a small knoll to the east of the property. ‘From there we will be able to easily see the smoke and hopefully, Mr Vert depart to investigate. Once you give us the go ahead using the comm system, Wendy and I will enter through one of those large casement windows on the west side, from th….’
‘So at what point do I join you?’ Selene asked slowly. Jason was silent a moment.
‘You don’t,’ he winced.
‘What!’ Selene said, her voice raised.
‘SShhh. You’re going to have to stay outside and be our lookout,’ Jason said.
‘I don’t think so. Why can’t she do it,’ Selene said angrily pointing to Wendy.
‘Wendy is the only one of us that has been in there,’ Jason said.
‘That was years ago.’
‘Regardless, I don’t want to be in there too long, especially not wandering around aimlessly trying to locate the mace. We have to be quick.’
‘So you’re saying that I’m not,’ Selene countered.
‘That’s not what I’m saying,’ Jason replied frustrated.
‘Well maybe I should be the one leading the assault in,’ Selene said defiantly.
‘For starters this isn’t an assault, second, you’re the one creating the diversion, not to mention you have the experience with our comms system, if something went wrong I’d have no way of fixing it. My decision has absolutely no bearing on whether I think you could lead this mission. If anything you’re probably more qualified than I,’ Jason said calmly. Selene sighed.
‘You’re right. It’s just that, well it’s going to be hard watching you two risking yourselves and all I’ll be doing is sitting on that hill,’ Selene said.
‘Don’t worry I’ll look out for him,’ Wendy piped in.
‘Of course,’ Jason said. ‘And as for you, you’ll be the cavalry if all goes wrong. Which it won’t,’ Jason added quickly.
‘Okay, you’ve made your point. Doesn’t mean I have to like it,’ Selene said.
‘Of course not,’ Jason said with a wry grin. ‘Let’s get into position. Selene as soon as you’re ready let me know.’ Jason then without warning kissed her, Selene returned his advance her fingers running through his hair, it was short but intense, they parted both breathing deeply. Jason was the first to go red, realising that Wendy was staring at them intently.
‘Are we going now,’ Wendy said abruptly.
‘Ah, yes,’ Jason agreed a little self-consciously,’ Getting to his feet he steered Wendy towards his destination, he quickly cast a glance back at Selene.
‘Be careful,’ Jason said.
‘You too.’
Chapter 42
Ulysses stood in the information centre of the Perigord library with Ms Jax.
‘Amelia, can you please leave me alone,’ Ulysses said irritably.
‘NO,’ Ms Jax rep
lied stubbornly. Ulysses did a slight double take. ‘That’s right, you heard me. I don’t know what’s going on but if it concerns the kids and I want. No. I have a right to know.’ There was silence in the room, Ms Jax refusing to budge. Ulysses could see her expression and knew that tone in her voice.
‘Since Kava’s arrival here, I’ve noticed small things, subtle changes in the man’s personality. Kava’s always had a confident charm, but never arrogance or cruelty,’ Ulysses said.
‘I’ve noticed it as well. I put it down to time, it changes us all in some ways,’ Ms Jax agreed.
‘I believe our core fundamentals remain intact though,’ Ulysses said.
‘So what are you saying then?’ Ms Jax asked.
I think the man that has been staying with us for the past week is not Kava,’ Ulysses said.
Chapter 43
Jason and Wendy were crouched in bushes near Mr Vert’s house awaiting Selene’s signal. Jason was in the form of a dark green, lizard-man hybrid, limbs lean and sinewy, a compact head with large yellow eyes and a wide mouth filled with tiny pointed teeth and finally red ridges running from the base of his skull in a single row to the tip of a long powerful tail. His head twitched from side to side as heightened senses checked for any signs of a threat.
‘I’m scared,’ Wendy whispered. Jason placed a reassuring taloned hand on her shoulder.
‘We’ll be fine, I promise,’ Jason said. Wendy sighed and leant into his touch.
‘I believe you,’ she gushed.
At that moment a small blast could be heard in the distance, followed by a thick plume of black smoke rising into the sky.
‘Now we wait,’ Jason whispered. Almost immediately inhuman shrieks could be heard, they were converging upon the location of the blast, then several minutes later a large figure exited the house. He wasn’t what Jason was expecting, Mr Vert was a bear of a man dressed in jeans, flannelette shirt and heavy boots, and apart from a wild grey beard and long hair that was tied back, he wasn’t exactly wizardy, but he supposed he was a sorcerer and not a wizard so maybe he didn’t have to wear the large pointed hat and robe. Jason and Wendy watched Vert disappear into the orchard.
