But for now at least, Meddler’s light was strong.
Harry checked under his hat. ‘You need not worry about him!’
Reuben more roared than spoke, ‘We must away, will not be long before he is missed by the witches – will not be long.’ His voice faded.
‘Reuben is right,’ said Harry’s father and between them cut the rope, where death fell upon a waiting wilderness that obligingly curled itself about the corpse.
‘The wee girl?’ Reuben knelt gently beside Sarah again and took her blood stained face in his hands, so pale – not even her thorny grave could stop him. ‘We should at least.’
‘But she has no one, Reuben.’
Meddler took a blush from his bag, adorning himself, though causing no offence – was no callous act; all knew he lacked such natural abilities and so none questioned. Nor did any question that he indeed had a bag of blushes for personal use, as was part of the very real enchantment that surrounded him.
Harry touched Reuben’s shoulder. ‘We could bury her? As a family, father?’
Mr Punch, who saw more wisdom than them, softly let them down, ‘I am sorry, so sorry, but it would draw attention to us. You must see that?’
‘If I may speak?’ Meddler began, ‘she is no longer with us and is at peace, friend. She no longer wishes for the trappings of a human existence. Excuse my candour but if left here, suspicion will fall upon who it should and he will take the blame and scorn for this act – what little there will be.’ He sighed. ‘At least I can say that we shall not be blamed for her. Not even your coat, Reuben.’ He stopped the old dragon as he went to cover her.
‘Here.’ Meddler gathered some sweet meadows flock and laid it against her cheek. ‘So as her finders may not look upon her with such disinterest that they may know that there is some that cared.’
‘For sure they will know that, ay! For here lies proof that the girl was avenged!’ Harry’s father kicked Seth’s unforgiving grave of bracken and bramble which tore at his flesh, leaving strange scars where the blood had ceased to flow.
‘Aye, you are right there, Father!’ Harry spat and Reuben stood back.
‘Such a shame, such a sweet young maid.’
‘Come, Reuben, ’ Meddler took his hand, ‘we have done some good here this day, but we must leave now lest it is all undone by our capture, and the girl’s moment lost on the fever of our arrest.’
Neither Meddler nor Reuben were accustomed to catching a sob.
‘Come then, Creature.’ He mustered a smile. ‘And quit your dramatics!’
‘Of course! Of course, these blushes are quite potent and so magical!’ He quickly put them away in his secret purse and off they set to catch up with Harry and his father, leaving behind their innocence that would perhaps keep a pretty watch of the dear soul they left in the woods that day.
‘I have nothing to tell you that you do not already deduce, do I, Reuben?’
Reuben clicked his teeth. ‘Love a purpose, Meddler – love a purpose!’
‘You and I are bound to each other, in many more realms than just this, Reuben, I do not mourn you.’
‘Pretty words, Creature, watch that there,’ he said, poking his chest where a heart would be on any other.
‘Oh do not worry, old friend – is not love I feel, rather respect and surely you will allow me to enjoy you, you old dragon!’
‘How are they, Creature?’ He pointed to Harry and his father. ‘Will they survive this?’
‘Oh for sure, Reuben. Is a mucky business for any other than you or I, my friend – but they have avenged death and it will never scare them again.’
‘Is sad that.’
‘Oh no, Reuben, is essential !’
They caught up father and son where Meddler, as delicately as he could, said he believed Elspeth would rather he returned the trophies that the Witches had took, to her personally.
‘A bit gruesome?’ Mr Punch replied.
‘Oh, Wakanda seems to do just fine in knowing things we simply stumble across too late, or by accident!’ Harry replied and then all agreed that Meddler, childlike as he was, would be the remedy dear sweet Elspeth would rally to and so they hurried – eager to deliver her from the spell.
It must be said that for a group who had just committed murder, they looked a jolly sight to onlookers as they planned and plotted, making pacts to never breathe a word. Harry wondered briefly about Bell Baker but laughed off his concern with a knowing look from Meddler.
Chapter 16
An interview with Elspeth was called for by a much relieved Mrs Punch, upon observing the two men in her life returned.
She went to question her husband.
‘Not now, dear,’ he softly remarked.
He looked aged, thought Meddler, further wondering if some kind of magic resided within. Some people – some good people seemed to see the future when it became dangerous. Instinct, he had never believed in, a lucky guess he would say; but of late he had noted this ability to foresee, and for sure none did he know with the excellent maths it would take to calculate a future – and so magic was all it could be. A little smile flickered across his lips, which he decided to enjoy rather than ponder on its meaning.
***
Elspeth was truly delighted to see her little friend and accepted his bag of gruesome trophies as proof of a successful mission. When he told her of the high kick and Niamh’s bloody nose, she squealed with delight and giggled with him at the Witch’s humiliation.
A handsome tea was set and eaten with all parties delighting in little Elspeth’s return to her usual happy state, a bond was tightened between all. As for our little light, well he found that magic tricks performed, not only entertained – but perhaps invited back an innocence lost by all that day.
‘Wakanda the marvellous! The incredible!’ he began, standing upon the dining table and throwing meats to the hounds, who howled in appreciation. ‘You shall see that he can hold that which has no form, that which is invisible – can return to you all that which has been lost!’
The handsome table ornament, generously lit, provided adequate prop. Wakanda waved his hand above the flickering flames, brighter and brighter they became twisting and performing a wild dance.
‘Wakanda!’ Elspeth implored as he stood to become engulfed.
He put his hands to her face. ‘Watch.’ Within seconds he was as one with the flames, leaping before all the party – daring them to join in the bewitching spectacle, and wider and wider their eyes became.
‘More! More of this potion, for innocence lost!’ he cried.
All gasped loudly. Mrs Punch grabbed her husband’s hand.
Reuben tutted. ‘Have seen better.’
Meddler jumped from the table, giving Reuben a look with a face he conjured from the flames and held his hands as though in prayer before the little girl. Carefully, she peeled back his fingers revealing the tiniest of flames in the form of a butterfly which flickered bright blue and flew about her – coming to rest gently in her palm.
He winked at Reuben. ‘A dragon’s fire when stolen as he sleeps is a thing of rare beauty and is softer than lamb’s breath on a spring morn – is only that which awakens him that determines how dangerous it may be!’
‘Well well,’ Mr Punch said.
‘Well indeed!’ said his wife as she caressed her daughter’s hair, blushing quite beautifully.
‘Of course not, Reuben!’ Meddler looked comically askance at his friend, ‘I shall not be stealing these!’ Signalling to the flushed faces of his audience and patting his bag of blushes, he continued, ‘for sure my purse is bulging!’
Reuben clicked his teeth. ‘Perfect timing then, I think! We must be off, friends!’ he roared, perhaps a little too loudly – as was the perplexing case of his voice of late.
‘Of course we must. ’ Wakanda bowed before all. ‘But shall not be long before we are together again, I am sure of it.’ He blushed himself. ‘Oops! An escapee, I believe!’ And took a handkerchief to his face, m
opping it away frantically.
‘You must dine here every Sunday!’ Mrs Punch called after them, ‘I shall not take no for an answer!’
Harry caught them at the door. ‘I do believe they shall, Mama,’ and tweaked Meddler’s hat, ‘until Sunday?’
‘Oh before that, Harry! Such a pretty moon there shall be tonight, a lover’s moon. Did you know that it is magnetic?’ And full of mischief he skipped away after Reuben, who sat patiently waiting with the old cobb. What a happy picture this strangely made, considering what had passed that day, and Meddler remarked as such to Reuben.
‘And yes, I am pleased with myself – thank you, Reuben.’
‘Won’t last, is only a trick.’
‘I beg your pardon, Reuben, but I am sure even you have stared down a darkened well before, yet drawn crystal clear water! And so no, is not a trick. The darkness shall pass.’
Reuben laughed cynically and urged on the old cobb. The two settled back, longing for home just a little.
Blackened clouds once again brewed above them as they ventured home, and the wind whipped up tiny whirlwinds that chased their tails and was quite magical – Reuben conceded – how the rain never caught them. Such a vicious torrent raged at the town of Hares Folly as though a judgement and both our travellers, secretly were relieved when they could make out the form of Old Father Kane who scuffed a particular spot with worn out boots and spit.
‘Mind now, Creature, you say that we had no choice? That the consequences would have been grave for us all? The witches, tell me, they will be afeared to cast aspersions? Nay, even tell of our encounter in case blame falls upon them? They have many such sins to own themselves, ay?’
‘I see plenty of death around them, Reub, it has muddied my vision and am habitually put out by it! But rest assured, I have managed a little meddling; through the weak one, Wilhelmina, she shall influence Niamh. That one has no fear, you see, Reub, is not natural and I wonder if she be truly human? Maybe this is why.’ Meddler broke off, looking to the floor. ‘Maybe this is why, ’
‘Why you find her difficult to influence, Creature?’ Reuben rescued a truly confused Meddler, his ferocious face softening as though touched by angels. ‘Her lack of fear?’
‘Yes, Reub, I think you may be right. It is almost as though – and is ridiculous to think – that she allows me in when it suits her!’
‘As though she plays her own little game – ay, Creature?’
‘Precisely, Reuben! Precisely! But this is impossible. No, Reuben, both you and I are wrong. I am afraid I have caught a dose of the paranoias which is a sweet treat to feast on – but not for me.’
‘Aye, Creature – but if you were more like old Reuben here, you would not feel confused. You see, for me tomorrow is a ‘sweet treat’ and a blessed one that I shall hope to see the dawn of, but not before its time.’
‘Please, Reuben, not more poetry! Best place for pretty words is here.’ And he patted Reuben’s pocket where he kept his journal. Reuben pushed his hand away and blushed.
Meddler continued, ‘I do not romanticise, dear friend, it isn’t pretty to me and nothing but an irritant! I apply logic and find it has abundant charms. You might think to try – I am sure you have a fine head for it.’
‘Nay, I’ll thank you not – your way is not for me.’
Meddler went to further implore, but Reuben hushed him. ‘Not a word, not a meddle from you, Creature. I will not have my kin embroiled in this day’s work. I worries for them already.’
‘But, Reuben!’
‘Hush I said!’
And so he did, although made a note to talk with Nella on this conundrum later. Was a fleeting fancy that all her wisdom and vision may well shed light on the dark, unyielding Witch, Niamh – he was never so ignorant that he did not think he could learn. Nella’s ways were of a natural, their magic being undefined and not of science – it was a knowing . A very human feeling flirted with him and he knew it to be hope – hope that perhaps all that he saw, all which preoccupied him that provoked such odd feelings, could be undone. But no, and he noted that feelings such as hope would one day be spoken of with disdain, for in truth they were a lie, or worse still a gamble. It had pained him to once again be reminded that there was nowt could be done for Reuben; soon his fire would disappear, though never out. No indeed, he had other worlds to conquer – their souls to lead with his light, out of obscurity, out of torment and out of tyrannical – bigoted lands.
‘Envy,’ he whispered to himself, looking at this old dragon’s flushed face with eyes that raged at the beginning of an end, that almost seemed to lust for it. ‘A fantastical beast of dreams and fairytales. How I wish he were all mine!’
Kane had begrudgingly walked the few steps to greet them, aware that Reuben’s secrecy would have a purpose.
‘Any trouble?’ Reuben asked.
‘Do you bring some, then?’ Kane replied.
Reuben flushed but was as he generally looked and gave a swift look to Meddler, who carried off the secret well enough for an elder to believe, who was too tired for curiosity as a rule.
‘What you thinking there, so secretive like?’ Kane prodded a contemplative Meddler with his stick. The creature fell to the ground, scowling at the old friends finding it so amusing.
‘Would have to be you and not I, that caught him unawares, Kane! I would have tossed a coin with you for that one!’
‘As you see, Reuben!’ Meddler dusted himself off and waved his hat before him., ‘you would have lost; but then I might have saved your pennies for you, and from looking like an arse!’
‘Are you coming?’ Reuben looked back as he and Kane made for The Heart. Meddler had found a stick and made gestures to the sky, and drawings in the dust.
‘I have some calculations that are a little off, so no, I shall join you later.’
Reuben winked and he and Kane left him to his studies, a little irritated and though he would never admit it, confused.
But let us leave this scene a while and visit with our brother. Most perplexed and contemplative is Bell Baker, by another…
A dimly lit room and a generous glass of sinfulness was aiding his already wild imaginings of this odd little creature. For sure, he thought, he was not of this earth – but how came he to be so protected from a race too quick to judge? Where superstition might lead to a girl with a freckle – characteristically a little wild – to be ousted for Witch by her own. If indeed, misfortune plagued them. It was odd indeed.
Was not witchery – he was sure, and shuddered to think that the thought even occurred. The creature was Godly then? But how, when he seemed to operate with no conscience? He had virtually ordered the execution of Seth Proctor Forsythe. No this could not be, he took another sip of his wine, savouring its pungency as was a special brew that he ordered in for times when clarity of thought was restricting. He slammed the goblet to the table.
‘Beelzebub! Ha! You could not disguise yourself as innocence and you do nothing to influence me, except that your stench sickens me this day! For sure you were there today and you linger – yes, but you are not part of this riddle!’ He poured another drink, mopping up the spilled with a biscuit and devouring all with unchecked passion. Then he leapt from his seat, striding assertively out the door and saddled his beast.
Chapter 17
‘Well, well! I am quite sure, though we travel to the same place, is as far as we are united in purpose.’
Harry blushed as Bell Baker came abreast of him. ‘Am I that obvious?’
‘No, man,’ Bell Baker laughed, ‘is the posy that gives you away!’ He gestured towards the awkward arrangement of wild flowers in Harry’s saddle bag.
‘They look quite out of place, I am sure!’
‘And you, Reverend? Why do you venture this way?’
Bell Baker looked speculative. ‘I am sure I do not know whether it the Lord’s will or the Devil’s.’ And he scolded his dark ride with some biblical term, showing him the whip but never did he touch him wi
th it.
‘You are harsh on the beast?’ Harry noted the whites of the animal’s eyes and a wild, fearful look.
‘He enjoys it – the damned beast enjoys it!’
This was enough for Harry, as was a wild and handsome beast – not one that you would treat with affection, only respect. Bell Baker perhaps, a little affected by his beverage, was intent on more.
‘Was an odd time – not six moons back – that I became keeper of what you see here, this animal. I sat pondering, as I do most nights, on the existence of evil, wondering if it did indeed actually exist. For you see, my calculus will often lead me to believe that the sum of each wrong committed is always equal to an element of confusion, a misunderstanding. I will understand if you do not take the pains to digest sin, as I – you are but human. Though I have spent many years carefully dissecting many horrors, and they are but human error, I believe. Shall I continue?’
‘Of course, but I shall say that I was rarely in attendance at Sunday school, so my understanding may be limited.’
Bell Baker raised his eyebrows. ‘For sure my attendance is only by divine apparition, and am not there in essence. But I digress.’
‘Yes, more of this story, Reverend, I am truly all ears.’
‘I believe that there be only one true evil, Harry – and is the Lord of Chaos!’
‘The Devil? Lucifer?’
‘Just so, we are but human and am sure incapable of any act without prior thought, we have no magic. Do you see where I lead?’
‘Not quite?’
‘Harry, you must! The Devil never questions and does not have quandaries, not even for a second! He is pure! My point being, that a man who decides a course of action has firstly weighed up both sides and if he is confused, will more times than not decide wrongly . Now you must see?’
‘That there can be no true, fair judgement? I see, I think – but Seth?’ He shuddered visibly at the memory of what had passed that day.
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