by M S C Barnes
“Stop bursting my bubbles, Seb,” Zach said with a grin as Aiden and Dom clicked their tins shut.
“Thanks,” Seb said to Zach, and smiled at Trudy. “I’ve got this.” She relaxed.
“That was interesting,” Scarlet said. “Can someone explain what happened?”
“Could you not see, oh seer?” Zach laughed. “How could you not see my spectacular bubble?”
Scarlet raised her eyes and tutted at him.
“I still have to go,” Seb said and pointed to his palm.
“Okay.” Zach pulled his staff out from around his waist; he had wrapped it inside the belt loops of the jeans. “We’re on then?” he said.
Aelfric took the few paces to stand in front of Seb.
“I know we agreed Seb,” he said, “And I will not go back on that, but you must comprehend the danger you will now be in.”
Seb, still feeling his own energy charging out from his body, looked up at him.
“I’ll be okay,” he said, confused.
“You don’t understand,” Aelfric said. “For a soul to be read by a Custodian, the Custodian must open their aura. You will have done so on every occasion, without ever knowing it. From the point you accept the soul for reading, you will have no protection until it passes back out and you can, once more, close your aura.” Seb grimaced. He had promised to deal with everything for an hour. “I am not doubting or mistrusting you, Seb,” Aelfric continued. “But whoever is attacking you has just tracked you here and so knows you are back on land. When you read the trespassing soul, your guard will be down and, if they know that, they may choose to attack then.”
“But he has read three on land since Greg spiked your coffee,” Zach protested and Seb winced inwardly as Greg flinched. Zach didn’t notice. “He’s been okay — well, not exactly okay, but he didn’t get attacked,” Zach said.
Aelfric span around to look at him.
“The attacker hadn’t re-located Seb yet,” Dom said. “But they have now, so he is at risk.”
Aelfric was still staring at Zach. “What does ‘not exactly okay’ mean?” he asked. He turned to Alice. “Alice, what does ‘not exactly okay’ mean?”
“He got ill,” Alice mumbled, looking guilty. “It was nothing. He did really well.” He lifted his chin. Seb realised that Alice must, through Dierne, have told Aelfric, about the souls they had dealt with. But he had obviously neglected to give any details that might have put Seb in a negative light. Seb was grateful to his twin. He knew he hadn’t handled the readings well and didn’t want Aelfric worrying that he wasn’t up to the job. But now Aelfric was concerned.
Zach, wanting to stop any further delay leapt in. “The mortal did well, Aelfric; just got a bit seasick on land. Nothing that Nat’s Aunty Helen can’t cure with one of her yucky herbal teas!” He pulled a face.
“Nat’s Aunty Helen?” Aelfric looked guarded.
“Oh,” Zach mumbled to Alice. “You hadn’t told them that bit either?” Alice shook his head and stared at the ground. “Well, stories for another day,” Zach said, guiding Seb away from Aelfric and towards the wall. “Come on Seb, the door?”
Feeling anxious to avoid discussing his past failings, Seb reflected light on the wall. The door appeared.
“Seb,” Aelfric said, walking towards him. “I will come with you.”
“No!” Trudy blurted. When she realised how loud she had shouted, she coughed and apologised. “I am sorry Aelfric, but you need to rest.”
“Trudy,” Aelfric smiled, “I will not deal with this soul; I will leave that to Seb as we agreed.” He joined Seb. “I am simply going along so that I can help if a further attack happens.”
“I have my bubble,” Zach said, standing straight. “I can protect him. That’s my job.”
“Yes you can, Zach,” Aelfric said. “But something is not right here. I will not intervene unless I feel things are not as they should be.” He turned to Dom. “Dom, did you get a source location?”
“Camberley,” Dom answered. “Or nearby.”
“I don’t want you going to that area until we return,” Aelfric said. “Aiden, we will need you with us.” Aiden, grinning nervously joined Zach. Now Aelfric called to The Caretaker. “Morgan, Trudy can stay here if you —”
“I am not staying here,” Trudy said emphatically. “My ankle is fine and you are not going without me!” She stared belligerently at him and then, dropping her head, added quietly, “Please, Aelfric.”
He regarded her for a moment only and then turned to The Caretaker who gave him a quick nod of understanding and moved back towards the fire. Trudy looked relieved. “Greg.” Aelfric beckoned him. Seb saw the look of surprise and relief on Greg’s face and the one of upset on Nat’s; she had already walked across to join them. Now Aelfric leant his head towards her and mumbled quietly into her ear. She lowered her eyes to the floor and Seb thought he saw a faint tinge of red in her cheeks. “I promise,” Aelfric said. Looking downcast, Nat returned to the bench seats.
“I’m coming with you,” Scarlet said, before Aelfric could leave her out.
“Scarlet, we need you,” Dom said to her. “I have something for you to try.” He almost tossed the heavy book he had been holding, at her. It was open and, instantly she saw what was on the pages, her eyes widened.
“Oh, okay,” she said, looking up and grinning at him.
“All sorted then?” Zach, eager to be off, approached the door.
With a parting glance at Nat, who gave him a sad smile, Seb followed him.
Subliminal Messages
On the brink of the doorway, Aelfric stopped them all.
“Aiden, Zach and Trudy, you go through first. If the door leads to Hellfire Caves,” he looked at Aiden, “come straight back.”
“Yeehah,” Zach said, seizing the doorknob. Twisting it, he pushed and darted through the opening, reaching a hand behind him and dragging Aiden after him. Trudy, following, gave Aiden a nudge from behind. Within a second Alice had received a message.
“Aiden says we can join them; it’s not Hellfire Caves.”
They found the three on the bank of a wide, slow-moving river. It was bitterly cold. The moon shone brightly through a large gap between the dense clouds and by its light Seb could see, dotted along the bank, a line of low tents. In front of each, rods and poles had been planted at angles, supporting fishing lines that hung loosely in the water.
The sound of snoring came from the tent to their right and in the next one down, a faint light glowed behind the canvas walls.
Seb’s palm ached badly now and he searched for the soul he was here to deal with as Pace and Cue, who had come through the doorway with them, began growling. Turning to his left, on the other side of the large oak that held the door, Seb could see a solitary fisherman, who appeared to have fallen asleep where he sat in his camping chair. He was bundled in so many layers he looked about four feet wide. His head, chin resting on his chest, was covered with a big woolly hat and his breath sent faint plumes of mist out into the night. His rod had dropped into his lap and its tip lay hidden in the reeds and shrubs that covered the bank.
Aiden was staring into his tin and suddenly pointed to the left, past the dozing fisherman. “There,” he whispered and Zach and Trudy leapt around the tree, staffs drawn.
“I am here when you need me,” Alice said, silently, to Seb. In the bright moonlight, his irises sparkled.
“I can’t see it,” Seb said back to him, his heart pounding as he followed the others around the tree. He stared along the river, where Aiden was indicating, but could see nothing.
“I can feel it,” Greg mumbled.
The wolves were whining now and Aelfric, with a hand on each of their backs, spoke soothingly to calm them.
“I see nothing,” Seb whispered.
“Close your eyes, Seb,” Aelfric murmured.
Seb thought that strange advice and glanced up at him. Aelfric had closed his own eyes and slowly he turned, not to where Aiden had pointed, bu
t further to the left, away from the river. Aiden, still staring into his tin, now span around and waved a hand frantically in that direction.
“It’s moving really fast Seb. Over there,” he said.
Seb, turning too, stared into the expanse of heath behind them. About fifty yards away he could see a copse of trees and halfway between that and where they stood was a solitary, massive oak, its branches twisted and bare, reaching towards him. He could still see no sign of this soul and the ache in his hand was now so painful he had to clench his fist to try and numb it.
“It’s coming right at us,” Aiden whispered nervously. His hands were shaking and he dropped his tin. It fell in the long grass and clicked shut, snuffing out the pink light. Dierne swooped down and recovered it for him. He fumbled with the clasp, opening it with difficulty, and then immediately jabbed a finger past Seb’s shoulder, pointing towards the twisted tree. “It’s there, Seb, there,” he said rather too loudly, causing the nearby fisherman to grunt and snort.
“I still don’t see it,” Seb whispered.
“You will locate it more easily, Seb, if you close your eyes,” Aelfric said. “Don’t just rely on sight.”
Seeing nothing, Seb did what Aelfric suggested. Trying to calm his breathing, he closed his eyes and concentrated on what he felt. He was aware of the warmth from the bodies of those around him which, now and then, was whipped away as the icy wind rushed past; he could hear the sighs of the rushes and reeds as the breeze toyed with them and the steady trickle of the river; he could hear the whining and grunting of the wolves as they sensed the approach of the trespassing soul, and Aiden’s short breaths as he became increasingly nervous. He was about to open his eyes again, to ask Aelfric what he was supposed to be sensing, when the hairs on his neck stood on end. He could detect another movement of the air. The natural, icy breeze danced through from his right but he could feel movement in front of him, like the air was being pushed towards him. It was only a small disturbance and only at head-height but definitely there. And suddenly it changed direction and the air was dragged away from him, as though whatever had been heading towards him had veered off to his right. He could track its course — it was arcing round and he knew it was lining up with the sleeping fisherman.
Seb opened his eyes. And now he spotted it, a thin trail of white mist drifting a few feet above the ground, heading for the fisherman. Quickly, he lifted his hand and beckoned the soul.
“Aelfric,” Greg suddenly said, in a harsh whisper.
As Seb watched the trail of mist charge towards him, his heart sank, weighed down with sadness and despair; and then the soul slammed into his chest.
Briefly, he was aware that Aelfric had grabbed him by the arms. The sorrow and depression cleared instantly. However, they were replaced by shock and revulsion as the images of this trespassing soul’s lives flooded his mind.
“Alice,” he called and now Alice began weaving good memories amongst the grotesque. There were many more of those. Within moments Seb knew he would be sending this soul to rest but, as its last hours played out, he suddenly felt nauseous. He breathed hard, on the verge of vomiting, as he watched the most recent memories flit through his mind. He saw an obscured image of an encounter, miles from here. Like the souls he had read before, this soul had met with someone just before coming to this place. And as he recalled those previous visions, the strength drained from his body. Unable to support himself, his legs folded. Aelfric, still holding his arms, lowered him down onto the wet grassland.
“Seb?” Alice asked. “Are you okay?” Seb, panting, could barely keep his eyes open. “You have to be ready. Are you ready Seb?” Alice shouted into his head.
Feeling about to faint and trying not to vomit, Seb shook his head as he felt the soul leave his body.
He heard Aelfric speak quietly, “Zach, Trudy, take over here; put your protection around him.” Seb felt more hands grab hold of him, Trudy and Zach, he knew. “Seb,” Aelfric spoke directly into his ear. “Can you send it? If you can’t, I will do it.”
It dawned on Seb that Aelfric had used his own aura to protect him from an attack. Since Seb had already taken the trespassing soul into himself to read, only he could send it either to rest or banishment. If he didn’t do it, Aelfric would have to, but first he would need to read the soul himself. So he had removed his own protection from Seb, ready to do so.
Feeling light-headed, Seb didn’t believe he even had the strength to lift his arm.
“I don’t think I can,” he said silently to Alice.
“He can’t,” Alice told Aelfric.
Seb, looking up, saw the mist trail floating away towards the twisted tree. He watched Aelfric struggle to his feet. As his coat flapped open, Seb caught a glimpse of a small patch of blood on his shirt. I promised, he thought, and suddenly guilt gave him the strength he needed. Before Aelfric could beckon the soul, Seb waved his own hand towards it, reflecting moonlight onto it.
“Rest,” he mumbled and then dropped his hand to his side just as the moon disappeared behind a blanket of storm clouds.
Zach patted him on the arm. “Well done mortal,” he said, but now Seb retched and Zach leapt away from him. “Woah! Not again,” he shouted. The fisherman grunted.
Fortunately, Seb had eaten nothing all night and other than the retching spasm, he didn’t vomit. But, feeling totally exhausted, he lay back on the cold, wet ground and closed his eyes. Aelfric, kneeling down beside him, reflected flamer light towards the tree which held the door they had arrived through. Wincing, he slid his arm behind Seb’s back and lifted his top half from the ground, propping him against his legs. He beckoned to Zach and whispered to him.
“Zach, can you carry —”
He was interrupted by a shout from the river bank.
“Hey, what’re you doin’?” The fisherman had woken and was struggling to stand, hampered by his bulky clothing.
“Go!” Aelfric whispered to the others and they dashed to the door as, with a groan, he lifted Seb into his arms and stood up.
“Oi, you! What’ve you done to that kid?” the fisherman shouted.
Seb, barely able to open his eyes, was blinded by a sudden flash of light and he heard Aiden exclaim in a hissed whisper, “He took a picture. I am sure he took a picture.”
Fortunately, the moon remained hidden by the burgeoning mass of clouds and, under cover of darkness, Aelfric now carried Seb to the doorway.
There was the sound of more voices as other anglers along the bank were woken by the first fisherman’s hollering.
“Quickly now,” Aelfric said.
Aiden opened the door and in seconds they all arrived back in The Pytt.
Nat rushed to them but Scarlet didn’t move; gazing up from something she was holding in her hands, she tutted.
“Not again! Did he puke?” she asked.
“He tried!” Zach said with disgust.
Aelfric took Seb to the fire and placed him on a seat. He couldn’t sit upright and Alice had to prop him up. At no point did Aelfric let go of him; he kept his hand on Seb’s shoulder, the halo of his aura surrounding both of them. Seb knew why. Aelfric didn’t trust that he could protect himself if he were attacked. He wasn’t wrong. Too ill to feel concerned that everyone was looking at him, Seb leant against Alice and closed his eyes.
“What’s wrong, Seb?” Nat asked. He couldn’t answer; he felt like he could sleep for a hundred years.
Greg began fussing over him. He felt his brow, then lifted one of his eyelids.
“Seb?” he called. “Tell me what you feel.”
“I am so tired and I feel really sick,” he told Alice in his mind, worried that, if he opened his mouth to speak he would vomit.
Alice repeated his words to Greg.
“A bucket might be an idea then?” Zach said, stepping away from Seb as Dom joined Aelfric.
“Zach,” Aelfric said, “Is this what you meant by ‘not exactly okay’ before?”
“Uh, yes,” Zach said, hesitantl
y.
“On every occasion Seb has read a soul?” Aelfric asked.
“Yes.” Zach nodded. “Only it’s got worse each time.”
“I can find nothing physically wrong,” Greg said, having prodded various bits of Seb’s body, looked into his mouth and listened to his heart beat. “He has no temperature and no injury.”
“Subliminal then?” Aelfric suggested, looking to Dom who gave a quick nod.
“And cumulative,” he said in his monotone as The Caretaker, who had actually gone and got a bucket, joined them.
“Can you make him something to ease the effects?” Aelfric asked Greg.
“Aiden can,” Zach said. “Helen gave him a recipe.” Aiden nodded.
“Let’s go then,” Greg said, smiling and led Aiden to the kitchen area.
Dom coughed and spoke in a mumble, “Aelfric, a golem, sympathetic influence and now subliminal messages. This is —”
“I know my friend,” Aelfric stopped him. “Morgan, can you take Seb to Heath’s bedroom, please.” Handing the bucket to Zach, The Caretaker lifted Seb from the seat. “Zach,” Aelfric said, still keeping his hand on Seb’s shoulder, “he will need your bubble.”
“Oh,” Zach said and slinging the bucket under his right arm, he placed his left hand on Seb’s shoulder. His face became serious. “Bubble in place. Big bubble. Nothing’s getting through this baby,” he said to The Caretaker and Scarlet tutted again.
Aelfric let go of Seb as, with Alice following like a shadow and Zach holding onto Seb’s arm, The Caretaker carried him to another door on the far side of the room.
“Four souls and he is as we see,” Aelfric said to Dom. “Can he block it?”