The Ladder: Part 1

by David Hodges

  Ollamh said, “Excellent, Cameron. You’re gifted in Bheochan.”

  Cameron set the arrow down. “How exactly will this help us with the shield and the comb? Are we to bring them to the stone and try to reveal what it is they do?”

  “The function of cured objects only becomes apparent in the appropriate context, a cured glove for example, it’s just a piece of leather until it’s worn on a hand that needs to move swiftly. We must reveal the context in which your shield and comb will come to life. Understanding Bheochan will give you more insight.”

  “If you can’t discern the way they change how do you expect us to? How does that bastard Einar expect me to? Why are we so important? It’s not as if our mother left us with directions.”

  Ollamh replied calmly, “There are intricacies to Bheochan. For example, Ionga and one of its arrows, two cured objects tethered together. You’d have an ordinary bow and an ordinary arrow if they were separate.” Ollamh brushed the face of the shield. “Another example is a cured object that is tethered to an Athraithe. It’s possible that your shield,” he looked from Cameron to Hazel, “and your comb, will only change for you. It’s not an easy cure, but it can be done by an expert Bheochantóir. Your mother was certainly an expert, she was one of our brightest.”

  Hazel asked, “Is that why Ayalon let us keep them? So that we might stumble upon their Bheochan ourselves?”

  Ollamh nodded.

  Hazel continued, “You could have told us, we’d be trying harder if we knew.”

  Cameron knew exactly why they were not told. “You don’t understand, do you, Hazel? If it’s true, they can’t find the Spheres without us. Even if Alexandra is found before the Sphere, they’re not just going to let us go. You don’t see that because you’re enamored by this whole situation, but what if we want to leave? What if we want to go back to Leicester? They won’t just let us walk out of here... not if we are tethered to these bloody things. They won’t let us go until we find out what the comb and the shield do… until they’re precious stone is found. Am I wrong?” He looked to Ollamh.

  “It’s not my place to say.”

  “Of course not,” replied Cameron.

  “Cameron, I think you’re being a bit unreasonable,” said Hazel.

  Cameron raised his voice. “I think you’re being naive.”

  Ollamh interrupted. “I think this is a good place to end our session. I’m not sure when the next lesson will be. The Sphere is reserved for Ayalon’s projects these coming days. You’ll be told when to return, I hope to see you both here.”

  “Of course,” said Hazel.

  Cameron left the Nest without a word.

  “I don’t understand why you have to be so pessimistic about everything,” said Hazel as they approached their horses.

  “I’m being realistic.”

  “If by that you mean self-centered then, yes, I have to agree with you. I know this isn’t what you want to hear, but there’s more at stake here than Alexandra’s safety. The safety of this entire village is in jeopardy as long as Einar’s a threat, and if he manages to use us to find the Sphere, he will most certainly be a threat.”

  Cameron averted Hazel’s gaze. He knew there was truth in her statement, but the village was not his responsibility. Alexandra was.

  Hazel sighed. “You know, you were good in there. I guessed you would be.”

  “Was I?” Cameron asked lazily as his thoughts lingered on Alexandra, on hunting her captor down.

  “I couldn’t extract a drop of the Fuil when I tried, and you heard what he said about the arrows and Ionga. It’s not basic Bheochan.”

  “It’d be nice if I could make a couple more arrows for Ionga.”

  “I reckon you’d be hard pressed to get permission. Didn’t the Sphere look a lot smaller than when we first saw it?” asked Hazel.

  “Aye, it did.”

  “I can see why they’re so eager to recover the Spheres,” said Hazel.

  Cameron’s frustration grew at the reminder of Alexandra being nothing but an afterthought to Ayalon and his precious Spheres.

  “They’ll find her too, they’re working on it,” said Hazel apologetically.

  “I have my doubts. I’m late for a lesson, I’ll see you this evening.”

  “Actually, I’ve been invited to dinner. Well, you were as well, but I figured you’d pass on the invitation. It’s Elisedd’s family.”

  “I don’t even know who that is. Enjoy yourself.” Cameron approached the side of his horse.

  “Cameron, could you do something for me?”

  “What is it?”

  “Could you make sure Daniel and Fergus are occupied this evening? They’ve been invited as well. I don’t want to lie to them, but I thought I would just go myself since you won’t be there.”

  “Why’s that? Do you fancy this lad?”

  “What? No. I just don’t want to impose on the family.” Her bright red cheeks told Cameron the real answer.

  “Alright, I’ll ask them to the pub. I’m sure they’re curious to see it anyway.”

  “Thanks.”

  Cameron nodded and rode off. He wondered if he should be concerned. Hazel was not one to avoid an outing with Daniel and Fergus. She most definitely fancied this boy. It would be unfortunate for her to become attached; they would not be staying in the village for long.

  After a short, headache filled lesson with Zofia, Cameron returned to his room where Daniel and Fergus were lounging.

  “There you are.” Fergus noticed Ionga’s case and asked, “What’s that?”

  Cameron showed it to Fergus, and Daniel and explained how it worked.

  “I’ve got to see it in action,” said Fergus with wide eyes.

  “I’ll bring you both to the range, perhaps tomorrow. If they allow it.”

  “Were you at the range all day?” asked Daniel.

  “Nah, I went to the lessons.”

  “Oh, how was it?”

  “It was alright. The curing went better than the... I can’t even remember what it’s called.”

  “Trínasúile,” Fergus answered.

  “Yes, that. I’ve thought enough about all that today. Let’s get a drink at the pub.”

  “Excellent idea!” exclaimed Daniel.

  “Shouldn’t we wait for Hazel?” said Fergus.

  Cameron replied, “She’s busy, something about dinner with a bloke called Elisedd. She won’t be back until late. Let’s go, this’ll be more fun.”

  “Oh.” Fergus was disappointed at the news.

  The pub was not far from their flat. They arrived to find it bustling with customers. Both men and women were enjoying their food and drink. It was nothing like the thinly veiled gin house that they had stopped at in Derby. The atmosphere was much more jovial, and the scents much more savory. A pair of women played a peppy tune on their strings.

  Several small animals scurried about or rested on the shoulders and laps of some of the customers. Cameron spotted more than one rodent, and several lizards slithering up the tables and chairs as well. A round pig had a tray strapped to its back. It stopped at various tables where customers grabbed drinks off the tray and left a few coins in their place. When the tray was empty, the pig returned to the barmaid and she fed it a treat.

  Cameron, Daniel, and Fergus took seats at a table. The barmaid greeted them and took their orders. Daniel surveyed the room and said, “There’s more lasses here than I’ve ever seen in a pub. By the looks of it there aren’t any chaperones either.” He nudged Fergus. Fergus made no comment. Daniel nudged him again and said, “Did you hear me? Look at all of ’em.”

  Fergus looked up. “Yeah, I see ’em.”

  “What’s wrong? Worrying about Hazel, are you? Elisedd seems like a nice lad, take your mind off of it.” Daniel grabbed a drink off of a pig that was skirting by them and handed it to Fergus.

  “Cameron, tell us a bit more about you curing lesson,” said Daniel.

  Cameron wanted to think about something else
, but the topic of conversation had seemed to pull Fergus out of his melancholy. “Well, it wasn’t long, just learned a bit about how it works, then gave it a try.”

  “What did you cure?” asked Fergus.

  “Nothing new, but I replenished one of the arrows that works with Ionga.”

  “And it worked?”

  “Aye.”

  “Amazing... that’d be a neat selling point at the shop,” Fergus speculated.

  It reminded Cameron of Mr. Pegg, Leicester, home. “You know, you two really should consider going back.”

  “Don’t start this again,” said Daniel. “We’re here to help until Alexandra is found, even if it’s just for morale.”

  “I’m afraid Hazel and I will be kept here longer than that.”

  “Why?”

  “Ayalon seems more concerned with finding this Sphere then Alexandra’s well being. We may be the only one’s who can do it.” Cameron explained what he had learned about the shield and the comb.

  Daniel said, “Maybe it’s not such a bad thing they care so much about the Spheres. It’s giving them more incentive to find that man Einar, and Alexandra’s with him. They’re trying hard, Faron said they have patrols out at all times.”

  Cameron dug his nails into the table. “I should be out there with them.”

  “That’s what Einar wants, he wants you to be vulnerable.”

  “I’d rather confront him now than sit here waiting. It doesn’t make sense, he already had a chance, didn’t he? When he took her in the first place. He could have just taken me instead.”

  Fergus replied, “I suppose you wouldn’t have been of much use unless you were changed. Reckon that’s why he tried to steal the Ladder, so he could change you. Since that didn’t work out, he needed you to go to Talamh first... leading the search party here was a good way to do it.”

  Daniel said, “I think Ayalon and Einar are right about this. If you’re patient he’ll try to come after you here in the village, where you’ll have the Laochra to help you. It’s your best chance. Right now, preparing yourself for that day is all that matters.”

  Cameron knew they were right, but he wished he could be more proactive or at least feel more proactive.

  One of the pigs stopped beside their table with platters of steak, rolls, and vegetables. Cameron cut himself a piece of the steak and welcomed the savory distraction.

  When they finished eating, Daniel said, “Well, I’m gonna go see if these lasses have any interest in a foreigner.” He picked Fergus up by the arm. “You too.”

  He looked to Cameron and with a wink said, “Enjoy the show.”

  Cameron watched as the pair approached two girls at the bar, both of whom seemed more intrigued by Daniel than Fergus, who was literally scratching his head as he spoke with them. Cameron continued watching until he felt a light touch on his shoulder.

  Alviva appeared and said, “It’s nice to see you out.” She looked over at Daniel and Fergus with a smile. “Glad to see they’re enjoying themselves as well. Do you mind if I take a seat?”

  “No, go ahead.”

  “Were you spectating?” she asked.

  “I was, seems like girls here behave a bit... different.”

  “We don’t hide away until we’re ready to be married if that’s what you mean... there’s no formal courting here. We get to know each other, become friends, and maybe more than that. It’s not all business like it is outside of the village.”

  Cameron imagined enjoying a drink and dinner with Alexandra, uninhibited, free to treat her as she deserved to be treated. “That sounds nice.”

  Alviva placed her hand on Cameron’s. “It is.”

  He realized he had sent her the wrong message and pulled his hand away.

  Alviva’s face flushed. “Forgive me, I thought—”

  “No, don’t apologize. It’s my fault, I never made it clear. Alexandra and I are not a typical match, we never had permission to court. I’ve only ever been with her in secret, and I love her dearly.”

  “I’m sorry. I should’ve guessed it. I feel foolish, perhaps I should...” She began to get out of her seat.

  “No, stay, don’t feel foolish. I’m sure you’ve got your pick of the men here. I take it as a great compliment.”

  Alviva smiled and blushed again. “Thanks.”

  Cameron looked over to the bar where Daniel was laughing with the pair of girls. “You know, I’ve yet to properly introduce you to my cousin. Give me just a moment. Stay right here.”

  “You don’t have to.”

  “Please? Don’t be embarrassed. Will you let me get him? He’s the friendliest chap you’ve ever met, I promise, but he’d curse me if he knew I was withholding you.”

  She laughed. “Alright, fine then.”

  Cameron interrupted Daniel’s lively conversation with the girls at the bar. “Come with me, there’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

  “One moment,” he said to the girls. He said to Cameron, “I’m a little busy meeting these two.”

  Cameron pulled him away and said, “Trust me, she’s over there at our table... sitting alone.” He pointed Daniel toward her.

  Daniel looked and spotted Alviva staring down at her drink. “Blimey... who’s that?”

  “She’s my instructor. Go on, go introduce yourself. She’s expecting you.”

  “Your instructor? I don’t know. I’ve never talked to one like that.”

  “Oh, c’mon, she’s nice. Go ahead, don’t keep her waiting.”

  Daniel nodded and took a swig of his ale. The girls at the bar looked bored by Fergus’s discussion of the Roman influences on the village’s architecture. Daniel went back to them and said, “Well, it was a pleasure meeting you, g’night.” They were disappointed as he walked away toward Alviva.

  Cameron watched as Daniel introduced himself to her. It was the first time he had seen him flustered like that as he fidgeted with his shirt sleeve.

  Fergus was unable to keep his new acquaintances interested for long and he joined Cameron at the bar. “Well, that went miserably. Where’d Daniel go?”

  Cameron nodded over toward Daniel and Alviva who seemed to be getting along well. He sat there with Fergus at the bar a while longer until he noticed Faron accompanied by a woman and a man. They were headed toward the exit. Cameron was eager to ask him about joining the next patrol.

  He got up from the bar and said to Fergus, “Excuse me for a moment,” before leaving after them. He squeezed through the crowded pub until he got outside where he saw the three of them rounding a corner. He continued after them, but they were out of sight when he turned the corner.

  All he saw was a large dog standing near an alley, its outline barely visible in the night. It stared at him for a moment, then ambled off in the other direction.

  Cameron continued walking down the empty street, looking for another turn they might have gone down. He stopped when he heard hushed voices coming from the dark alley the dog had been standing near.

  “Shhh... did you hear that?” a man whispered.

  Cameron heard footsteps walking from the alley and instinctively hid behind a buttress on the side of the building next to him. After a moment, he heard the footsteps return to the alley and the voices continued.

  “I know it’s tempting to tell others but you mustn’t, not yet. We can’t afford a conflict, not until the Sphere is found. You both know what is right for Talamh, others will fail to understand what is at stake if the wrong person finds out.”

  The voice softened and Cameron heard only faint whispers. He crept closer to the alley, staying close to the edge of the building. As he stopped just behind the corner of the building, he heard nothing.

  He listened closer, peeking his head into the alley.

  A hand darted out and grabbed Cameron by the neck.

  Sharp claws pressed into his skin as he was pulled into the alley where a cloaked man held him. All he could make out under his hood were a pair of eyes reflecting the light of the s
treet lamp behind him.

  “Cameron,” said the man as he let go of Cameron’s neck. He pulled off his hood and his eyes lost their sheen. It was Faron. “What are you doing here?” he asked.

  As Cameron rubbed his neck he said, “I... I saw you leaving the bar. I was hoping to speak with you.”

  “I see, sorry about your neck. Now is not the best time.”

  “It’s alright, let him ask his question,” said the woman behind Faron as she stepped closer.

  Cameron was taken aback when he saw that she bore a striking resemblance to Alviva. She was middle-aged, but her features were remarkably similar.

  She shook Cameron’s hand. “We haven’t met, but I believe you know our daughter, Alviva. I’m Clara.” She gestured to the man beside her. “This is my husband, Otus.”

  Otus shook Cameron’s hand. “Pleasure to meet you.”

  “Pleasure’s mine,” said Cameron.

  “What is it you wished to ask?” said Faron.

  “I wanted to talk with you about going out with one of the search parties.”

  Faron sighed. “If it were up to me I would let you go, but Ayalon will be hard pressed. I’ll see what I can do. I know it isn’t what you want to hear, Cameron, but you need to focus on finding the Sphere.”

  Cameron was learning to hate that word. He suppressed the urge to interrogate Faron about the whispers he had just heard. What was it that was so tempting to reveal? What conflict would it start?

  Faron continued, “You should go back to your flat. It’s dangerous out here alone at night, even within our walls.”

  18

  HAZEL

  Hazel struck the pell hard. The impact rattled her heavy arm but it did not cause pain like it had only days before. She kept striking the pell, focusing on her form the way Faron had showed her, putting her whole body behind each swing.

  “Good, you’re holding your form, take a break.” Faron threw her a canteen.

  After she took a gulp she asked, “Why don’t you ever practice at the pells?”