The Legacy of Souls (Seb Thomas Book 2)

by M S C Barnes

  It had all happened so quickly, Henri gasped.

  “He is a Drywærden then,” Dæved said, looking at Alice. Alice shrugged and smiled proudly.

  Riven was now sitting up, examining his body, gazing in awe at the leaves on his arms.

  “Thank you,” he whispered to Seb, though behind the amazed expression on his face was a look of deep sorrow; his grief at being separated from Nicole would not be healed as quickly. He glanced up at Dæved, then at Henri and then he lowered his head as if a bit lost.

  “Riven,” Henri said to him and he turned to face him. “You are, and always will be, part of our group. We cannot cure your grief and we cannot stop you missing her, but we can help you pass the time,” he smiled kindly, “until she finds her way back to you. You have a role and you have a home with us.” Riven nodded, slowly at first and then with more determination, as if mentally dusting himself off then, suddenly, he flitted up into the air to hover over the mirror with Alice and Dierne. Dæved joined them. They didn’t speak but Dæved was smiling and Alice and Dierne regarded Riven with admiration.

  Now Henri stood and looked at Aelfric who was still gazing out of the window at the night-time world.

  “Aelfric?” he called. When Aelfric didn’t respond, Henri walked over to him. “You misunderstood my reaction,” he said, and Aelfric now turned to face him. “I don’t think you were wrong to mark their souls; I am just amazed that you thought to do it.” Aelfric looked surprised. “Was it her Legacy that prompted you?” Henri asked.

  “I didn’t witness her Legacy, Henri,” Aelfric said, carefully and now Henri looked bemused.

  “Did you not read her soul?”

  Aelfric shook his head. “It was not for me to read a soul that had already been assessed by you,” he said.

  “But I assumed, when her soul entered …” Henri frowned. “So if you didn’t know her Legacy, if you hadn’t seen what I saw, then how did you know sending her to rest was the right decision?”

  “I trusted you.” Aelfric shrugged.

  Henri looked stunned for a second. “That’s it?” he said. “That’s all? On the strength of my comments you sent her to rest?”

  Aelfric shrugged again. “What more did I need? Your centuries of experience, your wisdom, your honour and fairness, all told you what you needed to do and yet you doubted yourself, feeling the need to seek the views of the Witan. But in all honesty, that was only because you were concerned they would disagree with your decision. Once you saw the flaws in the Witan, you trusted your own judgement. I didn’t need to witness her Legacy, I simply needed to trust you — which I always have. All I did was act on your behalf; where your injury prevented you from physically sending her soul to rest, I did so in your stead.” Henri looked dumbfounded.

  Facing the window again, Aelfric stared out at the many lights of the town. “I took the additional step of marking their souls because, as you said, Henri, these were unique circumstances. Only once in history has a Custodian been separated from their Dryad twin soul,” he sighed. “And we have seen how the anguish and grief that caused led to so much pain, destruction and, ultimately, Heath’s corruption.” He shook his head. “That separation could not be helped — I still believe it was the right thing to do to banish Braddock. But Nicole and Riven?” He glanced at Riven then gazed through the window at the moon. “I held Nicole as her body died, I saw her aura, I saw her look at Riven and I heard her last words. I thought I understood them, but could not be sure.

  “When Seb released her soul, I did not call her to me and it may have looked as though she were attacking me but she wasn’t. She simply transited through me, aiming for Riven — who was behind me — I believe, seeking to be with him one last time! That was the confirmation I needed of what her last words had meant.

  “Once I sent her to rest though, Henri, I knew soul amnesia would cause her to forget Riven. And their bond was such that her soul would, ever after, know it was missing something but not what; she would feel the grief of loss in every lifetime without knowing why. And Riven? He would suffer the extreme grief of losing the one soul who meant the world to him, all the while aware that she didn’t even remember him! How could I be instrumental in that?” Aelfric looked at the floor now, almost as if he were ashamed of what he had done. “So I broke a Cardinal Rule and marked both souls, to spare them what I viewed would be punishment on top of grief. We do not punish, we assess and we deal appropriately. I thought it appropriate.” He lapsed into silence, still looking at the floor. Henri stared at him in awe and was about to speak when Zach’s voice boomed across the room.

  “Are you folks ever coming down to have this soup? Lily hasn’t stopped eating, there’ll be none left!” With his head poking through the stairway hole, he glanced at everyone, suddenly noticing the tense atmosphere, then added, “Did I interrupt something? I did try to call Alice but he was ignoring me!” He glared at Alice.

  Reynard gave a quick glance to Henri who nodded to him. He stepped over to the railings.

  “Lily,” he called down past Zach, “If you’ve eaten all that bread, I’m not going to be happy.” He ushered Zach back down the stairs.

  Now Aelfric raised his head and turned to Henri.

  “I have some thank you visits to make,” he said quietly and shone light on the glass pane opposite, making the door appear.

  “We have some thank you visits to make,” Henri corrected him and smiled. He clapped him on the back. “Come on.”

  They walked towards the door but, reaching Seb, Aelfric stopped. “We need to thank Maria and Séamus,” he explained. Seb thought back to the number of times he had felt his palm ache since they had left the Sanctum. Séamus had dealt with a good number of souls on their behalf and he guessed Maria had done the same for Henri. “You go and relax downstairs,” Aelfric said. “We won’t be long and then we must get you home.” He looked at Seb’s bloodied shirt and glanced down at his own. “We will go via the cottage, so you can shower and change first though. I am not sure how you will explain all that to your mother in the morning.” He smiled and then followed Henri through the door. Dierne, Dæved and Riven accompanied them.

  On the other side of the room, The Caretaker watched the door fade away then, making no move join the others downstairs, turned to stare out of the window as Aelfric had done.

  “Aren’t you coming downstairs?” Seb asked. The Caretaker didn’t respond. Seb wasn’t sure whether to leave or stay but the disturbed flickering of The Caretaker’s aura convinced him something was wrong so, walking over, he stood in front of the window. “Are you okay?” he asked.

  The Caretaker seemed to weigh up what to say before speaking. “I have no right to ask, Seb, but could open a door for me? I am not good company at the moment and need to be elsewhere.”

  “What’s the problem?” Alice asked Seb silently.

  “I don’t know,” he replied then spoke out loud to The Caretaker. “What’s wrong? Was it Aelfric? I know you and he … Well, he’s safe now; you don’t need to worry.”

  The Caretaker looked taken aback for just a second and then, recovering spoke quietly.

  “Seb, I am relieved that Aelfric and you are safe — but it is no thanks to me. As a Guardian I have utterly failed in my task of protecting my two Custodians and am guilty of causing a further Custodian to enter a place where his own Guardian could not protect him.” Seb frowned, puzzled. “I led you to the Sanctum,” The Caretaker said softly. “I led you into a situation where you were unprotected; I was the cause of Aelfric, injured as he was, having to step into the Sanctum to save you and, as a result, of his nearly being killed.” The Caretaker continued more quietly. “I stood and watched Nicole attack you both, knowing I could do nothing and the fault was mine. You nearly died because of my failing; Aelfric nearly died because of my failing and then Henri also was attacked — all because I took you to that Sanctum.”

  Seb was stunned, realising now why The Caretaker had been so upset before leaving the Bastio
n Ring.

  “But I was always going, whether you came with me or not,” he said. “And before you joined me, I was going alone! What’s more, if you hadn’t jumped into that shaft and shown me how to find the Sanctum, I am sure that I would have got lost, wandering around in that maze, unable to find Zach. Do you not think that, eventually, my mind would have turned to panicking and then trying to find the way out? And when that happened, I would have come across the Sanctum anyway.” He shook his head. “That’s a design flaw I don’t think Heath saw. You surely must know though, that there was no way I wasn’t going to go in search of Zach and there is no way that Aelfric and Henri, eventually, wouldn’t have gone in search of Nicole. Which means that we would always have ended up where we did.

  “You did everything you could to accompany me and protect me. The Sanctum design meant you could not, but even knowing that, there is not a single Custodian who would not have gone in there. What followed is not your fault and neither is what led up to it.”

  He paused and then asked, “Did Reynard let Henri go into the Sanctum?” The Caretaker looked confused by the question but eventually nodded. “And he knew, by then, exactly what dangers the three of us were facing and that he could not cross into the Sanctum either; yet he is not believing he failed in protecting his Custodian, he’s downstairs eating soup! He knew none of us had a choice and so neither did he — or you. You did all you could — and we are all safe.” He waved towards the stairway. “I don’t think you need to be elsewhere; I actually think you need to go and have some bread — before Lily eats it all.” He grinned.

  The Caretaker stared at him for a second, astounded, and then gazed over his shoulder. Seb turned. Aelfric had stepped back through the door and was watching them.

  “I couldn’t have put it better myself,” he said, smiling.

  Something Unexpected

  Seb gazed at the people gathered around the enormous dining table. The conversation was convivial and, thanks to Zach and Reynard, even raucous at times. Jacqueline and Philippe seemed more than content in each other’s company, Nicole’s group were all much more cheerful and Greg, having had a long heart-to-heart with Lily, was back to his usual happy self. The members of the different groups had all intermingled; some, like Dom, Aiden and Georges having quiet, serious conversations, others more superficial, louder ones. Lotty, her arm around Jean-Paul’s shoulders, appeared to be giving him and Scarlet some instruction on scrying — the three of them staring into the small mirror Scarlet held and Lotty pointing into it, speaking quietly. Henri, his hand still on Moe, Dæved beside him, was laughing at Zach’s efforts to persuade Reynard to let him hold his sabre. The other Guardians watched, grinning, knowing how futile those efforts were.

  Nat hadn’t moved an inch from Seb’s side since he had come down the stairs. She was sat with her hip and thigh pressed close to his, and under the table she held his hand. Emile was sitting the other side of her and the two were speaking silently with Riven and Alice who both sat cross legged, floating a few inches above the surface of the table in front of them. The only ones not engaging in any conversation, other than Seb, were Aelfric and Dierne. Aelfric wasn’t even at the table. He hadn’t eaten but had taken a cup of coffee and moved over to a window seat where he sat, drinking and staring out at the night, Dierne hovering beside him.

  Seb hadn’t wanted the soup. He had eaten a small amount of bread and drunk two cups of coffee, throughout which Zach moaned that seeing all the dried blood on both him and Aelfric was putting him off his food. He didn’t feel like talking and simply sat, watching everyone else and feeling content at the physical contact with Nat. He didn’t notice Aelfric approach until he touched him gently on the shoulder.

  “I will deal with this, while you go and get cleaned up,” he said. “And then we need to get you all home.”

  It was only then that Seb became aware of the ache in his palm and also realised that he hadn’t given his home, or his mother, a second thought since Lily had joined them in the Sanctum of Friends. Looking out of the glass panels that also formed the walls to this room on the lower level of the tower, he couldn’t tell, from the sky, how much of the night had passed; his perception of time was totally messed up. But he realised that they would have to get back soon before either his mother, or Zach or Nat’s parents woke and found them missing. He wondered if Helen had waited up for Aiden’s return and whether she would be so concerned by now that she felt the need to make enquiries to find him and his friends.

  “I can go,” Seb said, letting go of Nat’s hand and putting his cup down.

  Aelfric weighed the offer up for a moment and then said, “You haven’t finished your coffee. Let me do this; you can get the next one. When you are ready, go through to The Cottage and shower and change. I will meet you in the Pytt once I am done.”

  Henri, having seen Aelfric get up, joined them; for the first time, he had let go of Moe. The wolf was slumped on the floor at Lotty’s feet, snuffling at the crumbs under the table.

  “Already?” Henri asked and Aelfric nodded. Henri sighed. “There is too much to say and not enough time to say it.” He put a hand on Aelfric’s shoulder. “After The Restoration, visit! Our groups will benefit from having closer ties.” He raised his voice, “And Zach needs urgent instruction from Reynard —”

  “Oh yay!” Zach shouted, jumping up.

  “… instruction from Reynard,” Henri continued with a sly smile, “on how to cook.”

  Zach’s eyes opened wide and then he frowned. “There is nothing wrong with this soup!” he said, outraged. “And you had two bowls of it; I saw you!”

  Henri laughed. “Seriously, visit. All of you.” He swept his arm around the table. “You are more than welcome here.” As Aelfric turned to go, Henri, still keeping his hand on his shoulder, muttered under his breath, “I cannot tell you how grateful —”

  “Henri,” Aelfric interrupted, speaking as quietly, “Without you, Seb and I would not be here. Take care of your wife and take care of yourself. We will visit — after The Restoration.” He smiled and nodding to The Caretaker and Trudy, walked towards the door that he had made appear in the glass pane nearby. Dierne flitted beside him and as the four left, Seb stood up. But now Henri pulled him to one side. He studied him quietly for a moment, Seb feeling awkward and not quite knowing what to say. Eventually, Henri mumbled to him.

  “You sent forth power without using the light.” Seb wasn’t sure if it was a question or a statement so remained quiet and looked at the floor. “Without using the light,” Henri said again and Seb looked up. Henri stared at him intently. “I saw it. How?” He sounded incredulous.

  “I don’t know,” Seb muttered, embarrassed. “It happens when I don’t think about it — when I am really upset and want to stop something happening.”

  “Or, actually, when you want to save someone?” Henri asked and Seb realised that was true. He nodded. Henri put both his hands on Seb’s shoulders and smiled affectionately at him. “You are a remarkable Custodian, Seb and I owe you for saving my wife’s life. That will not be forgotten. Now, do as Aelfric says and get changed. It will be a busy day for all of us and, sadly, after a night without sleep. Drink coffee — I always find it helps.”

  Lotty had joined him and now lifted Henri’s left hand from Seb’s shoulder. Turning it over, she tutted at him.

  “Henri, this is not quite healed. You will make it worse. Now, leave Seb and his group to get some rest, and go with Moe and lie down. She stroked his palm gently. “Seb,” she said, “it was lovely meeting you and your wonderful group. And Zach,” she called, “the soup was delicious.”

  “See? See?” Zach shouted triumphantly. “Thank you My Lady.” He gave her a small bow and grabbed a chunk of bread from the plate Reynard was just clearing from the table. “The washing up’s all yours then Rey,” he chuckled, taking a step towards Seb.

  “Ah; I believe Seb was the one going to get changed. You’ll have time to help,” Reynard said, thrusting
the plate at Zach and waving him off to the kitchen area.

  Seb was reluctant to leave but, making the door appear, he bent down and kissed Nat on the cheek.

  “I won’t be long,” he said.

  She looked disappointed but then smiled. “I’ll stay with Riven for a while,” she said.

  “Will we wait here?” Aiden asked hopefully, seemingly as reluctant to leave as Seb was, and when Seb nodded he grinned happily.

  Accompanied only by Alice, Seb went through the door and, arriving in his bedroom at The Cottage, took a shower. The hot water felt so good on his tired body that he stayed in far longer than he had planned. He was only jolted back to reality when Alice spoke.

  “Seb, you need to get dressed. I am getting a message from Dierne. He says something ‘unexpected’ has happened and you need to get Scarlet and go straight home.”

  Confused and a bit concerned Seb dressed quickly.

  “Did Dierne say what? What was the unexpected something?”

  “He couldn’t; he’s busy sending messages to the rest of their group and to Henri who will get Zach, Aiden and Nat home.”

  As soon as he was ready, Seb returned to The Light House and was met by Henri. The rest of Aelfric’s group and most of his own had already gone. Scarlet was the only one remaining, standing with Henri’s group, who all looked upset.

  “Get yourself and Scarlet back to your home,” Henri said.

  “What’s happened?” Seb asked.

  “Aelfric has been arrested,” Lotty answered, sounding sad.

  Seb couldn’t speak for a second. Arrested? It was a word that belonged within the setting of everyday human life and, given what he had experienced that night, it didn’t, at first, make sense.

  “Arrested?” he mumbled, confused.

  “All Dierne could say was that, after dealing with the trespassing soul, Aelfric tried to open the doorway to his office at the school, where he keeps a change of clothes. Apparently all his other clothes have been lost?” Henri said, confused himself and Seb nodded, remembering the sight of Aelfric’s boat being torn apart by the stormy sea. “Well, the doorway opened in the school’s main corridor instead of his office, and as they were trying to establish why, Mrs Reeves came around the corner. When she saw Aelfric, she screamed for two police officers, who had been in Reception, and pointed him out to them and they arrested him. Other officers were already in Aelfric’s office, going through his files, and Trudy and Morgan have been taken up there, while Aelfric has been taken to the police station.”