by Nancy M Bell
“Are we supposed to remember all that?” Coll exclaimed.
“No, young sir. Not at all. I just want you to have some understanding of the marks. Now each letter is also associated with a tree, and each carries a hidden meaning. Now to write these marks, which only those who have studied the oghams will understand, you start, as I have said, with a straight staff. The first group of letters have dashes on the right side of the staff. B for Beith or Birch, is one dash, L for Luis or Rowan, is two dashes, F for Fearn or Alder, is three dashes, S for Saille or Willow has four dashes and N for Nuin or Ash has five straight dashes. The next five are the same except the dashes are on the left side of the straight staff. The group that begins with M for Muin or Vine, is similar except the dashes are on an angle across the straight staff, with the highest part of the dash on the left of the staff. The next group has the dashes straight across the staff at right angles to it. The last group which is the dipthongs are different. Although they are set on the straight staff as well, they have symbols rather than dashes. CH for Koad or Grove is an X centered on the staff, TH for Oir or Spindle Tree is a diamond centered on the staff, PE for Uilleand or Honeysuckle is a double X situated on the right side of the staff overlapping each other, PH for Phagos or Beech resembles the hook of a shepherd’s crook and is on the right side of the staff, lastly is XI for Mor or the Sea, this is a box divided into nine equal parts and situated on the right side of straight staff.”
“That’s not making it much clearer,” Coll grumbled. Laurel kicked him in the shin to silence him.
The old man grinned. “You need only concern yourselves with the ogham I have given you. Coll, yours, if you will look please, is four dashes on the left of the staff which is Hazel or Coll. Aisling, yours is five dashes on the right of the staff which is Nuin or Ash. Gort, yours is two dashes at an angle across the central staff which is Ivy or Gort. Laurel, yours is, as you may have guessed by now, two dashes on the right of the staff representing Luis or Rowan. These will guard and protect you in the other worlds and should you become separated or lost will guide you to safety.
“Now, Sarie. Yours is most different of all. You are the gate keeper where you will hold sacred space for the journeyers. Your stone represents the Crane Bag and holds the five letters of the last group. On it are the X which represents shears, the diamond represents a helmet, the double X represent bones, the hook represents itself, the nine times divided box represents the house which holds them. Each has a use and purpose which you will discover should you have need of it. With these talismans you can journey as safely as any mortal can into the other worlds.”
“Thank you.” Sarie bowed her head.
“Thank you,” Laurel chorused in time with her friends.
The old man of the stone raised his hand palm turned out toward them and intoned a blessing in a language that flowed like music in Laurel’s ear. When the ringing tones had died away, he shook himself and straightened the folds of his cloak about him. “I have stayed too long in the world of man. It wearies me with its constant movement and the reek of iron overshadows the sweet scent of the tin of Kernow. I take my leave of you now, daughter of Eve.” He placed a hand on Laurel’s shoulder for a moment before he turned toward the tall standing stone at his back.
“Wait, can I ask your name?” Laurel reached out to grasp the folds of his cloak.
He turned back toward her. “True names have power, but you may call me Rialobran.”
“Thank you, Rialobran,” she said.
He tipped his hoary head in acknowledgement. The harsh cry of a pair of ravens diving across the sky not two feet above her head made her duck and glance upward. She looked back to the stone in time to see the last bit of the old man’s foot and the tip of his hood fade back into the lichen covered stone. When she reached out and laid her hand on it, the granite was warm even though the wind sweeping across the open field was cold and damp with the promise of rain.
“Did you see that? Did any of you see him leave?” Laurel spun around toward her friends.
Gort and Coll shook their heads. Aisling smiled and shook her head as well. “The ravens distracted us,” Sarie said. “Just as he planned it, I’m sure.”
“Let’s get back to the car before the rain starts.” Coll turned the collar of his coat up and started back across the ankle deep grass. Aisling and Gort followed. Laurel smiled to see them holding hands.
“C’mon, girl. The weather doesn’t wait for anyone. If we don’t reach the car in time we’ll be soaked to the skin.” Sarie touched her arm.
“It was real, wasn’t it? I didn’t just dream that an old man came out of the stone?” Laurel felt light headed as if she just got off one of those amusement park rides that spun you around. She was reluctant to remove her hand from the menhir.
“Yes, it was very real. You’re holding the proof of it in your hand,” Sarie said, opening her hand to display the stone disc resting on her palm.
“Let’s get a move on. The last thing we need is for one of you to catch your death of cold out here.” Sarie moved onto the muddy path and waited for Laurel to join her.
“Go gently,” Laurel whispered and let her fingers caress the rough stone. “Coming, Sarie.”
The wind whipped the hair over her face and buffeted her back, lending impetuous to her steps. Overhead, four ravens wove patterns against the gunmetal sky, the bellies of the clouds swollen with rain.
Chapter Thirteen
The rain beat on the kitchen windows, beads of water gleaming black against the panes. A rush of cold air announced Sarie’s return from putting the ponies up for the night. Laurel got to her feet and poured hot tea into a fresh mug and set it by Sarie’s place at the table.
“It’s a wild night out there,” the older woman remarked. Moisture sparkled in her silver hair as she passed under the overhead light.
“I’m glad we were home before the storm hit proper. It would have been hell to get caught in this out in the open.” Coll wrapped his hands around the mug of tea.
“I’ll ring Emily and let her know the outcome of our little adventure this afternoon. If she’s agreeable to being alone tonight, I’d rather you boys stay here for the night. The tide’s high and there’ll be a storm surge with this blow, the waves might well be up over the motorway between Marazion and Penzance,” Sarie said. “You’d best phone your mum too, Aisling.”
Aisling made a face as she lifted the receiver and placed the call. “You know she’s going to have kittens about me not being home and a storm raging. It’s not like I’m out on the Wherry Rocks or anything.” She heaved a sigh as the call rang through. Twenty minutes later she broke the connection and handed the phone to Sarie. “Mum’s not happy, but I told her Sarie wouldn’t let the boys drive in this weather and I had no other way to get home. She tried to badger Dad into coming to collect me, but he said I was fine where I was. So, you’re stuck with me.” She grinned and sat next to Gort.
Sarie took the mobile and went out into the hall to ring Emily. Coll’s gaze followed her exit, a worried frown creasing his forehead. “I wonder what’s so secret we can’t hear about it?” he grumbled.
Laurel put her hand over his and squeezed. “She probably wants to know how whatever Emily was doing in her workroom to support us today turned out. I haven’t a clue what she was doing, do you?”
“Nah, Emily keeps that room locked. She’d skin me if I even peeked in the keyhole,” Coll answered.
“She’ll want to tell her about the stone discs for sure. Maybe ask her advice about all that holding space stuff the stone man talked about. Any notion how someone would go about that?” Gort looked at Aisling.
“Have you heard from Gwin?” Laurel suddenly remembered the piskie and his unexpected absence.
Ash shook her head. “I’m really starting to get worried. He’s never been away this long before.”
Laurel pulled her stone disc from the pocket of her jeans. The talisman Vear Du gave come out with it, the thong tan
gled about the green serpentine disc. She held it in her fingers for a moment after pulling the stone free. “I wonder if I can find Gramma Bella and him using this?” She held it up so the cowrie shell twirled in the light.
“It might be dangerous for them, Laurel,” Ash cautioned her. “Better wait and ask Sarie when she’s finished on the phone.”
“You’re probably right, as usual. It’s just so tempting.” She ran the leather thong through her fingers and placed it on the table next the disc.
“There, everything is set to rights,” Sarie sounded pleased with herself. She came and joined them.
“Do you think Gwin is with Gramma and Vear?” Laurel asked.
“You still can’t reach him?” She looked at Aisling who shook her head. “Well, then it is very likely that’s where he is.”
“I still have the talisman Vear gave me, should I try to find them with it?” Laurel picked it up and held it to the light.
A violent gust of wind hit the house, rattling the windows in their frame. She jumped and almost dropped the charm. She whipped around and stared at the low bank of windows. A dark green face seemed to be pressed against the pane of the one farthest from her, long snakes of tangled hair waving about the head. When she blinked the image was gone. Shivering, she turned back to the table and leaned on Coll for comfort.
“That may, or may not, have been a sign of disapproval.” Sarie eyed Laurel. “What did you see that has your face pale as milk?
“Nothing, it was just the rain hitting the window.” She shivered again and tucked the charm in her pocket.
“I thought I saw Treagle,” Gort whispered. “All green faced and buggy eyes…”
“It’s just the storm.” Aisling pushed a lock of hair off his forehead.
Sarie pushed back from the table and carried her mug to the sink. “It’s getting late, time we were all in bed.”
Laurel got up and took her mug and Coll’s to the sink. She ran some water and set about washing up. Aisling joined her and took up a linen towel to dry the clean dishes after depositing the last two mugs into the wash water. Sarie stood by the hall door waiting to extinguish the kitchen light.
“You girls are in Laurel’s room, Coll and Gort can share the spare room across the hall since Bella has no need of it right now. I’ll clear her things out in the morning. No monkey business, straight to bed and to sleep with you. It’s been a long day and who knows what tomorrow may bring.” She switched off the overhead light and closed the kitchen door after the girls passed by. Laurel led the way up the dark stairway, the only light coming from the hall light at the top of the landing. The door to the spare room was already closed when she reached the top. Aisling was close on her heels as she pushed open her bedroom door.
“Night, Sarie. We’ll do the horses in the morning,” Laurel called.
“Night, Sarie,” Ash echoed.
“Good night, girls. If you’re up first, by all means please take care of the ponies.” Sarie’s door snicked shut on the last of her words.
“Man, I’m bushed,” Laurel exclaimed, pulling on her pyjamas.
Ash giggled. “I take it that means you’re tired?”
Laurel nodded and slid into the side of the bed closest the wall. The sheets were cold and she hoped they’d warm up quickly. Ash joined her and shoved the pillow up against the headboard so she could sit with her knees drawn up, resting her chin on her forearms.
“I don’t think you should try to use that talisman until we’re through into the other worlds. Even then, what if it brings the Council or their version of the police down on us? It’s too risky. I really wish I could talk to Gwin Scawen. He has to know more about how the politics works than we do,” Aisling said.
“I know,” Laurel agreed. “Did you see that face at the window like Gort and I did? It looked like some drowned sea witch or something.” Laurel shuddered and burrowed deeper under the covers.
The other girl shook her head. “I didn’t notice anything, but Gort’s face went white for a second and he muttered something about Treagle, so maybe he did. We can ask the boys in the morning.”
Laurel closed her eyes and pulled the quilt up over her head. The bed creaked as Aisling stretched out beside her. Willing away the spectre of Treagle, or whatever it was she saw in the window earlier, she forced herself to think about finding the fugitives in some nebulous other worlds. The warmth of the bed and the patter of rain dripping on the wide sill outside the window lulled her into a half-asleep dreamlike state.
The floor boards squeaked and the hinges of the bedroom door creaked. Laurel’s eyes flew open and her heart leaped into her throat. Under the covers Aisling’s hand gripped hers.
“What is it?” Laurel whispered, her voice hoarse with fear.
Ash held a forefinger to her lips, eyes wide and staring in her pale face.
Neither girl wanted to turn and look toward the door. Laurel jumped at the sound of something shuffling across the threshold, the old boards of the floor squeaking as the intruder moved into the room. She was shaking so hard the rustling of the bed clothes sounded loud to her ears. The noise stopped and Laurel dared to turn her head and peek toward the door. A huge hulking shadow towered over the bed. A scream rose in her throat but emerged from her lips as a breathless yelp. The figure loomed larger in the darkness before doubling over.
“Bloody hell,” the words hissed into the dark. “Quit shovin’.”
“Coll?” Laurel sat bolt upright and reached for the light.
“Don’t turn on the light. Sarie’ll be onto to us in a flash.” It was Gort’s voice. The huge shadowy figure resolved itself into two smaller shapes.
“What are you doing scaring the liver out of us?” Ash demanded, sitting up leaning against the headboard.
Laurel squirmed about until she was sitting shoulder to shoulder with her friend. The bed sank and the springs creaked softly as Coll and Gort settled on the end of the bed. “What are you doing in here? It better be good, you scared the bejeesus out of me.” She clamped her still shaking hands around her knees and glared at the pair on the end of the bed.
“We need to talk, figure out a plan. I couldn’t sleep and neither could Coll, so we snuck over here,” Gort explained.
“Uh huh,” Laurel grunted. “Did you have to sneak up on us like some weird stalker dude? You couldn’t have just whispered ‘Hey girls’ or something?”
“We didn’t want to wake up Sarie,” Coll offered. “We didn’t think you guys would be asleep yet.”
“What is so important it couldn’t wait til morning?” Aisling steered the conversation away from what was rapidly developing into an argument between Coll and Laurel.
“I saw Traegle in the kitchen window,” Gort said in a rush, his eyes gleaming in the faint light from the open door.
“I did too,” Laurel whispered. “He had his face smooshed up against the window and his hair was waving around like a bunch of snakes.” She shuddered and pulled the quilt up to her chin.
Gort nodded vehemently and turned to Coll. “See? I told you I did too see him!”
“Hush,” Ash cautioned. “Coll, go shut the door, will you?”
“What do you think it means? The thing peering in the window?” Laurel asked.
Coll shut the door and climbed back on the end of the bed. “Don’t know. Maybe he was spying for the Council.”
“No, Gramma Bella said Treagle was helping Vear Du. More likely he had a message for us from them,” Laurel said. She got up on her knees and peered out the window. “Do you think he’s still out there somewhere?”
“He’s long gone by now. With this wind blowing he’ll be compelled to move the sand around the headland at Nanjizal,” Aisling said. “Sit back down, Laurel. I’m getting cold.”
Laurel slid back under the covers and propped her chin on her knees. “So what’s the plan you were talking about?”
“Don’t have one yet. That’s why we gotta talk to you guys,” Coll muttered.
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��I think we should start at Nanjizal, that’s where your gramma went through the portal,” Gort said.
“It’s as good a place as any, I guess. The Men an Tol worked for me last time, but I don’t think it will work this time,” Laurel mused.
“Okay, so we go out to Nanjizal tomorrow. Do we take Sarie and my gramma with us, or sneak off on our own?” Coll strategized.
“The man in the stone said Sarie needed to ‘hold space’ for us, so we have to tell her what we’re doing,” Aisling reminded them.
‘You’re right, I forgot about that,” Coll agreed.
“What do we do at the portal? How does it work?” Gort chewed his bottom lip.
Laurel glanced at Aisling who shrugged helplessly. “Darn that piskie. If he was here I’m sure he could tell us,” she whispered fiercely.
“Have you all got those stone discs on you? Mine has a hole in the top, see?” Laurel pulled the disc out from her pyjama top. She’d strung it on a blue ribbon so it hung around her neck.
Aisling picked hers up from the night table and peered at it in the dim light. “It does have a hole! I could swear it wasn’t there earlier.”
“Hang on, I’ll go get ours.” Coll slipped off the bed and padded to the door. After checking to be sure the coast was clear he disappeared and reappeared a few minutes later with the discs. He handed Gort’s to him and after settling on the bed examined his.
“Here.” Laurel pulled some hair ribbons out of the night table drawer. “String them on these, there’s less chance of losing them if we wear them.”
Aisling yawned. “Okay, so we’re going out to the portal in the morning, after we tell Sarie and Emily what we’re up to. Yes?”
“But what are we supposed to do when we get there?” Laurel fretted.
“We need to trust that once we’re there we’ll figure it out,” Gort didn’t sound convinced.