Pagewalker

by C. Mahood

  I grabbed Sarah and pulled her close. To just feel her body up against mine in impossible to put into words. I ran my fingers through her long blonde hair. Up from her back to her neck, round the top of her head and down onto her cheeks. Oh God, I love those cheeks. They sit up higher when she smiles, like perfect cushions framing her whirlpool eyes. I held her head in my hands and just stared into her soul. I could not believe that this had happened. I pulled her even closer and kissed her deep. Plump lips held together. Teeth almost touched as we smiled.

  It’s hard to kiss and smile at the same time so we took turns with each. Just standing for what felt like an eternity we rested on each other’s forehead. Words would only spoil what we were feeling then. There are no words in any language to say how either of us felt to a close degree. I could hear her sniff. I did too. Not very sexy, but crying isn’t sexy is it? I stood back and leaned down a bit, making us eye level. I wiped the tears from her face with my thumb and lifted her gaze to mine with my fingers on her chin. She smiled. We hugged again, neither of us knowing what to say. Not in some poetic way, like we need the first words to be deep. Just that we truly were so speechless. Some relationships are put to a test, be it assembling flat pack furniture, surviving Christmas with in-laws or playing Mario Kart. None of these problems will affect us again. We both knew this. I took the plunge to say the first words but was interrupted by a sad whelp below my feet.

  “Tessa!” I cheered. She bounced up on her hind legs, her front paws reaching up to my chest. She jumped up like a child wanting to be held so I lifted her up onto my hip like an overgrown toddler. She licked my face franticly. At first out of affection but after a while I realised it was the blood on my face. Beginning to crush and becoming cold. I wiped the slabbers away and set her down. She had licked the remaining blood from her face. Only red specks still lingered between her eyes and on the back of her head, which she could not reach.

  I chuckled and signed in relief as the realisation dawned on me. “She was the wolf wasn’t she?” I sniggered.

  “Yup!” Smiled Sarah. “Careful she will lick you to death now!” I laughed nervously but it only look a glance over to Garrets lifeless body to remind me that Northland was changing Tessa. Maybe not for the best as I had hoped. There was a much stronger primal instinct emerging in her now.

  Oisin had begun to move the bodies of the Luchorpán from the camp. I turned to see him pulling Garret by the legs and set him beside Abe.

  “What are you doing Oisin?” I asked,

  “They may have been liars, thieves and tricksters in life Chris, but in death they are nothing but father and son.” He replied solemnly. Words fell heavy and hard in his tone. The gravity of the situation fell on my shoulders too then. After all of this, playing me for a fool, leading Sarah and I down opposite paths fo their own gain with the will to kill us both. This was for the love a father had for a son. I know my own father would do anything to protect me. Maybe he wouldn’t show it a lot but I know there is a deep bond and love between parents and children. None stronger than in the hearts of Luchorpán.

  Oisin had gathered some things from the wagon. A shovel and some rope. He had torn some of the Tarp from the tent and rolled both Garret and Abe together in it. He then proceeded to tie the two together. Tight. The pair of small bodies looked almost human sized when rolled up together and bound in a shammy leather.

  “What are you doing?” I sad, walking over to Oisin. Sarah still gripping my hand tight.

  “Wait, stay here babe.” She said to me and pulled me back.

  “Don’t worry yourselves, we have got this. You two, um, re-unite.” He coughed nervously, “we have much to discuss. I just did not think it was respectful to leave them lying here while we spoke. I would hope someone does the same for me some day.” He turned and began digging a hole. Sarah and I sat back by the fire. Tessa had curled close to the flame and rolled onto her back. Soaking up the warmth as she lay there. We cuddled close together. I couldn’t get enough of her. Couldn’t hold her tight enough. She wrapped her arms around my stomach and I had my arms over her shoulders, kissing the top of her head and breathing in her sweet and beautiful smell. The way I do in bed at night as she drifts off to sleep in my arms. We kissed and just held each other for the longest time before we spoke again. It felt so good to hear her voice once again. I just wanted to listen to how she had survived.

  I turned to her with a guilty look on my face, “I'm really sorry this happened love, I swear I had no idea!”

  “I know babe, its ok, I know you had no clue, sure your thick as champ any way” Giggeling she tickled my sides and leant in for another hug. Leaning close into me me said, “It was fucking mental though eh?”

  I could only chuckle, she really has a poetic way with words.

  “So you were brought here because you made some changes to my story?”

  “Yup.”

  “And you just woke up in the water here?”

  “Yup.”

  “The same place as me then eh? Did you walk up to the beach and then up the stairs of the clif?”

  “Yup, it reminded me or white rocks near portrush you know?” She said reminiscently. She seemed too calm about it all in my opinion.

  “Jesus that’s what I thought too! I swear, you an me babe, in sync!” I squeezed her again.

  “I know love, thats probably why I married you like.”

  “So what then? I couldn’t have been to far behind you, where did you go”

  “Well when I made it to the top of the cliff I didn’t exactly look down!” She elbowed me, “Why did you make it so high? You know I’m scared of heights!”

  “Well I didn’t exactly think it was possible to bring you for a pic-nic here like love.”

  “I know but still, Jesus wept, talk about shakey legs. When I made it to the top I saw the standing stones and made my way up there for a better look. I was scared as hell at first but you know me, I just get on with it like.”

  I agreed, she really does,

  “So then what?” I enquired farther.

  “Well, I saw the Rebels Rest from there, here, you know that’s like an old RA bar on the Falls road right?”

  “Yea babe I know, must have just been in my mind or something.”

  “Yea, maybe” She glossed over, “Any way, I saw the bar and was going to start making my way there when I saw this crazy looking homeless guy walking towards me so I started walking off in the other direction. He was following me and to be honest, I was getting a bit freaked out so I started running towards the tree line, hoping I could loose him there...AGH!” She exclaimed as she pulled he hand away from mine. I must have been tightening my grip as I listened to her story. Worried for her. I know, if anyone, she doesn’t need protecting, but I'm a husband and always want to take on that role when I can.

  “Sorry love, go on.” I said is I placed my hand back on her lap for her to continue the story.

  “Aye, so I made it to the tree line and was crouching behind a felled tree and bushes when I heard Garrets voice. He introduced himself and told me about Abe and we were going to make our way to Renir where I would meet you!”

  “How did they know I would come after you?” I asked. Sarah' eyes opened wide, her whole body went rigid and she sat back shocked.

  “Excuse me?” she said harshly, “And why wouldn’t you?” With a tone sharper than razors and harder than nails.

  “No I don’t mean it like that, I meant how would they know I would go to Renir, oh wait, aye I suppose, sneaky wee shits and all that?”

  “Yea,” She coughed in laughter. Her mood calming to her normal self again.

  “So on our way to Renir, Garret told me all about that crazy man, Turns out they had met before in a forest somewhere and he had tried to steel all the jewels or money or whatever.”

  “Yea I know the story, its not true” I interrupted.

  “Well I know that now numb nuts! I didn’t know then though did I?”

  “Yea, sup
pose not.” I embarrassingly conceded. “So what then?”

  “We made our way into Renir. Garret got wind we were being followed, we were turning to leave the city when a fight broke out. I was awful people were screaming and I saw someone murder a guard in cold blood. Stabbed him in the eye then ran off like a coward. It was so scary, such a dangerous place!” I sat in silence. Telling her it was me would not make things better, something should be kept to yourself. My throat was now dry but I asked her to continue on none the less.

  “We managed to get away before any more fighting broke out and used the commotion to slip out the gates without being followed. We headed south east. We travelled for a full day and night but ended up lost. Garret denied it but I know we were. That's when we came across the circus. They were travelling to Sáann, We were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Well, you know the rest.” She said resting her head back onto my shoulder. Oisin had finished burying the two luchorpán and joined us by the fire. Sarah continues with her story.

  “After Oisin had set me free we played through the plan. He would make it look like I had escaped but I was to follow behind the kart. If I were to get in any trouble I was to simply cough and he would come and get me.”

  Oisin interrupted. “You see I heard a sound from behind the wagon. Like a grown or a cough. I assumed it was Sarah but when I made my way of the Wagon I found you and Abe. Out of instinct I knocked you both out and bundled you into the cage. I couldn’t risk explaining everything to you then. You would not have believed me.” He said with a hopeful look and raised eyebrows. I agreed and let Sarah continue.

  “Well I was not far behind I must have been on the other side of the wagon when this happened. As soon as the wheels started turning I heard something running up to me. Tessa had found me in the bog. She was excited as anything! You know how she is?” I nodded and patted her sleeping belly and rubbed her fur as she panted by the firelight. “Yea, I can imagine” I said.

  “Well I knew then that you were in the wagon. You and those two. I started after you all and struggled to keep up. I had to stop for a while to catch my breath. I must have fallen asleep for a moment because when I looked for you all again you were pulling up here in the middle of these pyramids. I had to move as fast as I could to get to you in time!” We both sighed at the same time, both of us thinking of what could have happened if she were any later. “Just as well you did” I said as I kissed her again and again.

  For hours we talked on and on about the different roads we had taken. How we almost met at the rebels Rest, or in Renir, or at the circus we missed each other by a matter of hours! The coincidences were so many. We were all so thankful for the way fate worked out. The night was lightening and morning followed the sound of birds in the distance. No birds roosted here. The temples had nowhere to perch or rest.

  Finally the subject came up about returning home. I hadn’t really thought about it, but now that we stood here in the shadow to three monolithic, giant ruins. With magic Rich in the air, I was unsure.

  “Oisin, you said you wanted to travel home to our world with us? Why?” I asked him, Sarah was sleeping on my shoulder.

  He turned his head and smiled to me, “I want to be someone else.” He replied. I knew this. The reason I wrote in the first place. “Oh, yea, that’s right” I said nervously. “Oisin, mate, I know you wont believe me when I say this but, that’s the reason I created Northland. A place where I would not be judged. Where I would be accepted and I could escape from the life I lived at home when I was a teenager.” I meant it all in the metaphorical sense of course, just lucky it turned into the literal.

  He nodded and looked sad “My name has been dirtied here Chris, There is no life left for me.” Sarah raised her head and looked at me. “Sorry love didn’t mean to wake you” I said,

  “I’ve been awake for a while love,” She said rubbing her eyes. “You see I was thinking, You created this place right? so, What's to stop you from telling Oisin’s story?” The two of us sat strait up and looked at Sarah like children awaiting a story from grandma.

  “huh?” Oisin huffed.

  “Well the prophecies you speak of are all from Chris’ imigination. Like he knew there would be a woman with tattoos who would save him. Even before he came here? So his writing is like, Holy here yea?” We all nodded as she continued, both starting to click on. “Well if Chris were to tell Your story once we arrived home then You name would be an important name spoken by the creator instead of just some con man that Abe and Garret told the world you where?” She sat back and folded her arms like a master chess player moving 5 steps ahead to Checkmate.

  I couldn’t do anything but laugh. She was so right. Jesus, I am glad I found her when I did. Or she found me, she saved me. As usual.

  “That could work, but what story would you tell?” Oisin asked.

  “The truth.” I replied. The story you told me about your adventured before you met Garret in the forest that evening?” I said clapping my hands in excitement.

  “Yes that’s could work,” Oisin said as he stood. “We need to get you home. The sooner you clear my name the sooner I can continue with my life!” He said standing and beginning to gather more things from the wagon. Bottles of potions, dried herbs, book with old writing. He mixed and ground things together muttering words over them. We had all the time in the world. We were in no rush to return. I didn't know when or even if I would be back here so I wanted to use the time to explore. Sarah and I discussed the areas we wanted to visit but we were worried about approaching the subject with Oisin. He was so desperate to clear his name and have a fresh start. Eventually we decided we just had to talk to him about our plans, reassure him and make sure everything was ok.

  That evening we raised the subject over dinner. Cooked fish for Tessa and I, and berries for Oisin and Sarah.

  “Oisin, we have something we need to tell you.” I said

  “Yes, um, actually there is something I need to confess to both out you also.” He replied

  “Well you go first Oisin!” Sarah waved her hand at him in a welcoming fashion.

  “Ok, well its kind of embarrassing, The spell. Well I don’t seem to be able to get it sorted. I can work it out and I have not managed to get the ingredients right.” He hung his head with shame and kicked the dirt from under his feet.

  “What does that mean?” I asked

  “It means until I get it sorted you can not return home.”

  My heart skipped. Sarah squeezed my hand so hard she almost broke bones.

  “So what can we do?” Sarah questioned.

  “Well I think I will need a few more days, maybe you could use the time to visit some of the places you created while I go and visit a friend of mine in Aondor?” Oisin said.

  “Aondor?” I exclaimed. I looked at Sarah, she knew that look.

  “Fine” is all she said.

  “YES! Aondor, I’m coming with you!” I said as I patted Oisin's back, harder than I meant to. He coughed a little then smiled.

  “I would be welcome of the company to be honest.” he said

  “Good, so when are we going?”

  “No time like the present I suppose!” he replied “A two day journey North and we will be there late evening on the second.”

  I clapped my hands, kissed Sarah, patted Tessa and began gathering things onto the wagon.

  *

  The journey was an easy one. Like a slow open roofed train. I sat on the wagon and took in all the surroundings. As we approached the town Oisin told stories of Aondor. Like how at an ancient age when the town of Aondor was built as a farming village on the outskirts of the great city of Sáann, On the Throne of Sáann sat the old king Dertrid. It is so strange hearing stories of a character you created. A Person that you created to help you through school and the tough times. The person who you guided through an age and adventure of biblical proportions. Now a real true king living for himself and ruling a kingdom.

  The king had fought many battle
s in his youth to clear the North of threats, now as an old man happy and fat on his throne he was remarkably fond of hearing stories. Like many of his kin, allies, great leaders and fathers, he had a favourite story-teller, who lived in a large house in the town square of Aondor, This was given to him by King Dertrid on the condition of the story-teller writing and telling him a new story every night of his life, before The King visited the land of slumber.

  The story-teller was gifted, since he was a child he had the ability to create worlds in his mind, worlds of magic, adventure, humour, love and excitement. Hearing Oisin telling this I felt like he was describing me. Since my soul was in the book I wrote my land used a little part of my soul to create another altogether. Better still, his gift extended into the art of telling these great tales. His stories were loved by the other children and they believed them as gospel. The talents did not end there however. The story-teller used his gift to lie to out of trouble, and mould a world of fantasy into threats, and sew fear into the hearts of those who opposed him. He could win fights, arguments and disputes by the flourish of his silver tongue instead of an Iron blade.

  So to say he was gifted was an under-selling of his talent. He had already reached a good old age without failing even for a single night in his tales, songs, poems and limericks; and he displayed so much understanding, skill and depth in his words that whatever state of distress or other annoyances might have preyed upon the monarch's mind, or lay heavy on his heart, The story-teller was always sure to send him to sleep with a smile on his face and warmth in his soul. The tale filled our travelling time well. Sarah and I lay and listened to Oisin as he ploughed onward.