The Cistercian Conspiracy

by Gill Jepson

  Rob smiled. He thought how surprised his tutors would be if they heard that.

  *

  The two archivists watched him like over attentive nannies, as if they were expecting the worst. He collected his notepad and realised the chalice was balanced on his knee, still wrapped in the leather cloth. He took his coat from the back of the chair and slipped it over the cup – after all you never knew who was watching and waiting to seize the prize.

  *

  He retrieved his rucksack from the locker and stuffed everything into it quickly. As he walked through the library he had a feeling he was being watched. He was definitely becoming paranoid. As he left the building the small librarian behind the desk raised her eyes from the cataloguing she was doing on the computer. Her sharp ferret-like eyes had missed nothing. Within an instant she was on the telephone.

  “Yes, he has left… no I didn’t see anything… but his bag seemed very bulky…” She cackled at the response and replaced the phone into its cradle with a smug self-satisfied smile.

  CHAPTER 12

  A RACE AGAINST TIME

  By the time Rob reached his car it had started to snow. The wind was fierce and bad weather was rolling in from the Irish Sea. Billowing dark clouds scudded across the wintry skies and he could not wait to reach home and warmth. He drove along Abbey Road, reflecting how much it had changed from the last time he had travelled along it. He turned into Manor Road and through the West Gate leading to the abbey precinct. The abbey looked powerful and silent, holding its secrets close. It was deserted and night was drawing in fast. As he drove up the hill past Abbot’s Wood he noticed a figure by the wall. He slowed slightly in order to drive past safely when suddenly the person stepped straight in front of the car. Rob slammed on his brakes as hard as he could and every nerve in his body stood on end. His heart almost stopped with shock. He fully expected the person to roll across the bonnet of the car.

  *

  Nobody was there. He looked around but there was no sign of anyone. Slowly he drew into the side of the road and parked. Rob opened the door and stepped out. He could see no evidence of anyone lying in the road.

  “That’s just great, I’m hallucinating now,” he thought.

  He turned around to get back into the car and almost jumped out of his skin. A figure was standing right in front of him. It was the monk. He didn’t know whether to be scared or relieved.

  *

  The monk smiled. Rob calmed down and looked into the monk’s face. He had a kind face and possessed the ability to make one feel tranquil. Rob waited for him to speak.

  “My son,” he said, “The chalice is in grave danger and thy brother is too. You must find him and his companion once you have hid the cup.”

  “Nate? Where is he? What danger is he in?” The words came tumbling out.

  “Thou must repair to thy home and secure the chalice first. From thence thou wilt take yon iron monster,” he indicated the car, “and hasten to thy brother’s assistance. The villain Silas is fast approaching the sacred sword and that first must be secured. Thou wilt find them on the road from Rampside. Go now and do my bidding for we have no time to spare.”

  “What sword? I thought the chalice was the treasure?”

  “The sword is not yet secure… ’tis a holy sword and must be saved from Silas just as the chalice must be protected.”

  Rob nodded. He was brim full of questions but something about the monk’s demeanour prevented him from asking more.

  “I’ll go now…” he ran back to the car.

  “God speed my son!” John Stell replied.

  *

  The race was on. Rob shot off like a bullet, glancing in the rear view mirror, to take a last glance at John Stell, the abbey scribe. He drove quickly to his house. As he shot into the vacant space next to his mum’s car his dad arrived home too. They went into the house together and Rob clutched the rucksack protectively.

  “What have you got in there – the crown jewels?” his dad laughed.

  “Er… something like that. I’m just dropping it off and I’m going out again… I’ll get tea later,” he explained.

  “Well. You’d better tell your mother. She was already texting me to see where your brother is!”

  “Um… I’m going to pick him up we’ll be back later…”

  He ran upstairs and hid the bag under his bed. Nobody would find it, his room was a tip and they would not be able to see it anyway.

  When he was sure it was safe he closed the bedroom door and ran back downstairs.

  “I’m going out, be back soon!” he yelled.

  He didn’t wait for the reply, but as he closed the front door he heard his mum shout a protest.

  *

  He leapt into the car and within minutes he was driving along Rampside Road. It was dark and blustery and the rain bounced off the windscreen. He drove slowly so that he could find Nate. The road was empty and very few cars passed him. Eventually, he saw his brother… and one of his friends climbing over the fence near the church; he drew to an abrupt halt.

  *

  “Get in! Both of you!” he ordered.

  They both gaped at him as if they couldn’t believe he was there. He took charge and although he wasn’t clear about what was happening he knew it was vital to help these two to solve their quest.

  “Where is the sword?” Really? They surely weren’t going to pretend nothing was happening?

  Once they were in the car a small amount of banter passed between them, Rob teasing Tom about his dress and quaint way of speaking. It really was odd that this guy felt the need to dress like a highwayman. They were speeding off towards Aldingham, as he was directed by the two boys. They drove past the farm and parked quietly on the edge of the road.

  *

  “Where do we go from here then?” asked Rob.

  “Into the farm… but we’ll have to be careful in case any of those thugs are about – don’t fancy running into them again!” said Nate.

  More words were exchanged and the two boys ran across the road and slipped down behind the farm. That was the last Rob saw of them. He went through an agony of doubt. Perhaps he should have gone with them, but then that would have meant if anything went wrong they wouldn’t have a driver or someone to alert the police. Time hung heavily and he had almost given up hope of seeing them again when they both appeared from the direction they had left. They jumped into the car and Nate was very agitated. From the rear view mirror Rob could see the headlights of a car in the distance.

  “Drive… just drive!” yelled Nate.

  Rob needed no further invitation. He put the car into gear and pressed the accelerator down as far as it would go. They raced through the lanes, past Scales and Leece into Stone Dyke and then home.

  *

  They had argued about which way to go but had concluded until they had formed a plan; home would be the safest option. They skidded into the drive and hastily discussed the cover story to tell the parents. This involved Tom ridding himself of some of his clothes to make him look more ‘normal’ as Rob said. As they left the car two malevolent magpies flew so close to them that they almost lost balance.

  At the same time a sleek black car purred into the end of the street and parked, turning of its headlights.

  “In… now! It’s them,” ordered Nate.

  CHAPTER 13

  ENDS AND BEGINNINGS

  The following day was the end and the beginning of a remarkable adventure. They had rescued the sacred sword and reunited it with the skull, which Nate had insisted on keeping. All manner of unbelievable events had followed; it had been like an episode of The X-Files. Monks, ghosts and all kinds of weird stuff, it was certainly too bizarre for him to cope with.

  *

  Rob had watched as his brother said goodbye to Tom, reflecting on the peculiar things that had been happening, not just to him, but to his brother and sister too. What was it all about? Then there was still the chalice to consider – he had to do something with that�
�� you would have thought that old monk might have mentioned it. He shrugged in disbelief. He began to realise that those ideas he had pushed down and ignored were probably all too true. It was all real. After all, he had witnessed monks, long dead, walking the abbey, people from other times; including a fairly famous mayor and not to mention… well he knew now who George really was, even if he didn’t quite believe it.

  *

  As they walked wearily home along the river towards Bow Bridge a twig flew through the air almost hitting Nate. They looked up and saw George grinning irrepressibly from the other bank. Rob caught his breath and wondered whether to let him in on the secret.

  “It’s George! It’s…” cried Nate.

  “I know…” interjected Rob before he could finish, “It’s Granddad… like I said it’s all been a bit weird recently,” he shrugged.

  The parting was as emotional as when they had parted once before… that terrible time in the summer when they believed they would see him no more. It was dreamlike and surreal.

  *

  “I’ll see you again… I promise.”

  The boy was obscured by the ground mist momentarily and when it cleared there was the old man they knew as Granddad. Behind him was Brother John Stell. He beckoned to George and soon all that remained was an unseasonal white butterfly.

  *

  The boys walked home immersed in their thoughts. They caught sight of Rebecca and her friends in the distance. This prompted a conversation and led to more questions than it provided answers.

  “Well it all began last summer… do you remember when the garden was trashed?” said Rob.

  *

  A solitary black feather fell from the trees, unnoticed. Neither boy spotted the magpies glide silently onto perches along the lane, one by one. Neither did they see the tall figure sullenly surveying them from the distant field. The dark malevolence hung like an oncoming storm in the air. They would pay for this humiliation. He would dig deep into his dark enchantments and draw on his wickedness. They would pay for the banishment of his cousin Ambrose Steele too. They had no right to meddle. This was not their legacy it was his. The chalice must be retrieved; he must acquire the influence it held.

  *

  Before the boys had reached home Silas Dixon had formed his plan. Two treasures were already lost to him, but the chalice would be his. He knew it; he could feel its strong spiritual energy drawing him close. It was guiding him like a beacon and showing him its hiding place. He realised those boys had not had time to conceal it properly or to return it to the monk. He still had the chance to gain its power and reveal the greatest prize, which was deeply concealed within the abbey. He had time on his side and would not hesitate to call on those evil spirits who were confined by the abbey’s power. He had it within his grasp to change what had gone before and alter time… but he needed the chalice to harness that power.

  CHAPTER 14

  A HIDING PLACE

  Nate and Rob slept right through till mid-morning the next day. They were completely exhausted from their recent adventures. At ten-thirty their sister Rebecca bounced into both rooms, insisting they waken and start the day. She was excited and made so much noise that they began to stir. Nate was up first, curious to discover what she knew of the strange things he and Rob had encountered.

  *

  They were talking in hushed tones when Rob came into the living room. He closed the door so that they would not be overheard. The three of them shared their encounters and realised that it was no coincidence that they had been chosen. They were connected by family, both now and in the past, this they understood, but why their family was singled out for this they could not tell. One thing was certain, they could relax a little. The immediate danger was over and all that had to be done was to conceal the chalice safely until they discovered what to do with it.

  *

  “The monk must tell us what to do with it,” suggested Rob.

  “He will appear in time I’m sure,” agreed Rebecca, “Do you think we’ll see George… I mean Granddad again,” she added wistfully.

  “I’m not sure… he said he would see us again but…” Nate’s words hung in the air.

  “We have to find a place to hide the chalice first. Any ideas?” said Rob.

  “We could put it where I hid the skull I suppose…” replied Nate.

  Rebecca wrinkled her nose at the memory of it.

  “Well I can’t think of anywhere better. Unless we hide it in the house somewhere?” said Rob.

  “Oh yeah, great idea genius! Of course, mum won’t find it when she cleans up, will she?”

  “Well, if you two boys cleaned your rooms she wouldn’t have to,” interjected Rebecca.

  “Listen who’s talking! You’re not much tidier than us… she’d never find it in your room, it looks like a jumble sale,” retorted Nate.

  They fell to bickering and naturally attracted the attention of their mother who was working in the kitchen.

  “Will you lot pack it in? For goodness sake, you’re like toddlers!” she yelled.

  They immediately ceased the hostilities and returned to their discussion.

  “So… we hide it in the garden then?” pressed Nate.

  “Suppose so… should be safe! We’ll have to do it when nobody’s around though. At least Silas is out of the picture,” said Rob.

  “Yes… and Mr Steele has vanished too. So who exactly are we hiding it from then?” asked Rebecca.

  The two boys looked at her closely. What she said was true… but somehow they didn’t feel completely at ease. Rob had a squirming sensation in his stomach, as if he was worried about something but didn’t know what.

  “Well, we don’t want to take it for granted. I think we still have to be careful. You know… just in case.”

  *

  Later that day when the house was empty, Rob slipped into the back garden and lifted the slab beneath the birdbath. He put the chalice, wrapped in its leather cloth, into a cardboard box and placed it in the ground. He covered it over with the earth and replaced the paving stone and the birdbath. He swept away the soil and tidied up. Nobody would ever know anything was underneath the patio. He looked around to check that he wasn’t being observed and went back inside to wash his hands. He would tell the other two what he had done later, when they came home. He was pleased with himself and secretly hoped that John Stell would make a quick appearance, take the chalice and then they could get back to normal.

  As he went into the house there was a small movement behind the fence next door. An old lady, whom they knew as a kind old soul, had been watching. She smiled and spoke to her little dog quietly. He yapped in response, as if he understood what she had said. A magpie flew up onto the hedge and peered quizzically at her, what passed between them was not spoken, but the magpie understood. He flew swiftly away, over the fields towards the woods to relay his message. A dark brooding cloud passed over the weak winter sun, casting a cold shadow across the garden. Tension crackled in the air and the low hum of unnatural energy seemed to vibrate around the hiding place of the chalice. It was calling out a warning to its protectors, but this time it was in vain, because nobody could hear. The raven appeared and perched on the birdbath, a lone sentry but scant defence against the danger that was coming. Danger; which Rob and the others were unaware of and which would threaten to unpick the very threads of their existence without them even realising.

  CHAPTER 15

  FOUND AND THEN LOST

  That night a storm came. The house was situated on a hill overlooking the valley towards the sea. The wind blew in from the coast bringing with it a bitter chill. Hailstones attacked the windows mercilessly and they bounced against the glass like small bullets. The savage storm was relentless in its assault and the doors and windows rattled noisily, refusing to surrender and allow the wind and rain entry. Rubbish bins were upturned and their contents were blown across the street, tiles slipped and smashed, shards scattering widely and branches groaned and creaked
under the pressure. Torrents of rain ran rapidly into full gutters and black puddles bubbled and grew.

  *

  Rob couldn’t sleep, the howling wind echoed in the chimney and the loft hatch was banging. He was wide-awake, his bed was like a bed of nails and his pillow filled with concrete. He hated being unable to sleep and no amount of rearranging his bed covers and plumping his pillows helped. He sighed heavily and swung his legs out of bed. Everyone else was asleep. He could hear the rhythmic breathing from the next room where his parents slept and a gentle snoring from Nate’s room. A sliver of light trickled under the door of his sister’s room from her lamp, but when he peeped in she was fast asleep too. He crept downstairs to get a drink to see if that would help him sleep.

  *

  The dog was asleep at the bottom of the stairs and he almost tripped over him. Sam grunted and opened an eye to see who had woken him. Rob went into the kitchen and put the hob light on. He took the juice from the fridge and reached to get a glass from the cupboard.

  *

  He almost dropped the glass when a shadow passed the window he instinctively drew back behind the wall. The security light at the back of the house was on and strange shadows wafted like wraiths across the kitchen floor. Something…. or someone was outside. Panic flashed through his body like an electric shock.

  The chalice! It was in the garden.

  *

  The storm was still wild and rain battered the windows. He took a deep breath and looked out of the window. An alarming sight met his eyes. Silas was supervising the removal of the chalice. Other figures were with him, the boy and the woman from his earlier encounter and two of the oddest creatures he had ever seen. Their goblin like appearance made him shudder and he could see red glinting eyes through the rain. One of them spotted him and leapt with incredible agility and superhuman speed onto the kitchen windowsill. Its skeletal hands were flat against the pane and its ugly face was pressed up close, glaring at him. His heart nearly stopped. The creature scratched with a long finger down the glass creating an unbearable noise. He thought the creature would be inside with just a little more effort and he was paralysed with fear. Beyond the animal he could see the others carrying the box and moving away, ready to leave.