by Nancy M Bell
“Such language, Bella.” Sarie’s face contorted in her effort not to laugh. Gwin Scawen had no such compunction and was holding his sides as he gave in to his mirth.
“Sarie!” She scrambled to her feet and threw her arms around her friend. “It’s ever so good to see you. I’ve been bored out of my mind.”
“Leave off, Bella. You’re choking me.” Sarie extricated herself from the other girl’s grasp and laughed. “Whatever were you trying to do, besides kill or injure yourself?”
“Oh, yes. Do tell, Mistress Bella. Do tell.” Gwin wiped tears from his eyes, still grinning from ear to ear.
“I’m teasy as an adder, being locked up in this place. I was scaling the wall so I could nip out the vent.” She tossed her head.
Gwin Scawen handed her a rock he picked up from the near the wall. “Try and pitch this through and see how successful you would have been.”
Bella snatched the stone and hurled it upward. Instead of sailing through the opening it bounced off with a dull ringing sound and thudded to the earth narrowly missing her foot. “He magicked the bleeding vent?” she cried in disbelief.
“Cormoran is not one to underestimate a person.” The piskie nodded sagely. “And the selkie warned him about your … er … shall we say … resourcefulness.”
“Did he now?” She gritted her teeth. Bella vowed to take that up with him the first chance she got. “When can I visit Vear? I need to see him.”
Sarie and Gwin shook their heads in unison. “You can’t, Bella. It’s not safe,” Sarie warned. “For the love of God, don’t make things worse by going off half-cocked.”
“Make things worse, how?” She frowned.
“Think about it, Bella. How many rules did the two of you break? He might have got off on using magic to bring you to his cave because you were in grave danger, but then you made it a million times worse by seducing the poor man.” Sarie glared at her.
“It was the Jan Tregeagle’s fault, that was,” she protested even while the heat burned her cheeks at the memory of her wantonness. Maybe Da was right. She was just like her mother, lifting her skirts and spreading her legs for anyone who came along.
“Grow up, for once in your life take some responsibility for your actions.” Sarie stamped her foot. “It’s always someone else’s fault, never your own, as long as I’ve know you.”
Tears sprang to Bella’s eyes at the harsh words. If Sarie was angry with her then surely the world as she knew it was coming to an end. She turned her back and poked at the fire, awakening the flames. Shoving the kettle into the embers she waited until she had control of her emotions before turning around.
“I’m sorry, Sarie. You’re right. I do have to take some responsibility for this. But I do love him so and it seemed the only way to get him to admit he wanted me too … at the time anyway.”
“Again, it’s all about you and what you want. What about Vear Du and what he wants? He knew the consequences for himself, and for you. It was for your sake he held back, the Council is after your head, Bella. Do you understand that? Did you not think of your da? There’s undines and all the sea creatures watching his every move when he’s out at sea, fire elementals in his hearth, sylphs pushing his boat hither and yon across the waves, gnomes peering out of the hearth stones at him. The poor man thinks he’s going Bodmin.”
“But why are they spying on him? Other than trying to sell me off like a prize broodmare, he’s got nothing to do with any of this,” she protested.
“Barney Angarrick is your closest blood kin and so they watch him in hopes one of you will try and contact the other, or better yet, that he will lead them to you,” Gwin offered.
“Like that will ever happen.” Bella snorted.
“Be thankful they are occupied with him. It means they are not out scouring the countryside for you,” Gwin said.
“I suppose that’s true. So, it should be safe for you to take me to Vear, or for him to come here.” Her mood brightened at the thought.
“No, it certainly is not safe. Vear can’t leave his cave without a member of the Council escorting him and you can’t go there because he is under constant watch,” the piskie explained.
“Bother and damn. Why can’t they just leave it be? There’s no harm done and I’m not going to say anything to anyone.” Bella stooped to grab the kettle and wet the tea. “Damn!” She dropped the kettle and shook her burnt hand, in her haste she’d forgotten to wrap a rag around the handle.
Gwin Scawen waved a hand and traced a sigil in the air over her burnt palm. The pain eased immediately. He picked up the teapot which was somehow full of hot water now and poured Bella and Sarie a mug.
“Why didn’t you just do that in the first place,” Bella groused.
He shrugged. “It gives you something to do.”
Sarie sat beside her on the cot and put her arm about her shoulders. “I know it’s hard, Bella. But it really is the safest place for you right now. Why, I’ve even seen the gnomes popping up out of the grass in the pony field and Belisama, White Lady of the Spring, has inquired as to your wellbeing. She is quite concerned about you and the selkie for some reason. She has asked me to bring her tidings of you when I return.”
“Is that wise?” Bella asked. “And why would Belisama be interested in me, or Vear?”
Sarie shrugged. “I have no idea, but I trust her, and Gwin also assures me she means you no harm. So I will seek her out in the glade by the spring when I return and let her know you are fine, for the time being.”
“How long can you stay? I can’t bear to be left alone too much longer. Is your mum doing alright? Raven is still at your place, isn’t she? Da hasn’t sold her….” She paused at the look on Sarie’s face. “He sold her?” Her voice rose in disbelief. “I’ll murder him in his sleep, so I will. He can’t sell her she’s mine. I paid for her, even if my name isn’t on her papers….”
“He hasn’t sold her. Don’t you know what day it is? That’s one of the reasons Gwin brought me today. It’s your birthday, Bella. Have you forgotten?”
“Never mind my damn birthday, where is she? I’ll make him sorry he was ever born when I get out of here if a hair on her is harmed.” She surged to her feet, pacing the chamber and cussing.
“Bella, for heaven’s sake, calm down. She’s at Mum’s. Raven is safe and sound at home. I brought her home, there she is and there she’ll stay until you can take her back.”
“Well, why didn’t you just say do, in the first place?” Bella demanded.
“You jumped to conclusions as usual and didn’t wait to hear the whole story,” Sarie pointed out.
“I suppose.” She stopped pacing and threw herself on the cot beside her friend. “Tell your mum I’ll pay her back for feed and such once I get out of here.”
“Let’s worry about that when the time comes,” Sarie said. “In the meantime, Happy birthday!” She pulled a small package from her trouser pocket and handed it to Bella.
“Sarie, thank you. I didn’t realize my birthday was today. It’s so hard to keep track of time in this place. I started to scratch a mark on the wall for every time the sun went down, but then I kept forgetting….”
“Only you, Bella. Only you.” Sarie laughed and hugged her. “Go on, open it.”
“I can’t believe I forgot my own birthday! How daft is that, for heaven’s sake? Oh, I can’t wait to see what you’ve brought me.” She tore the paper wrapping away and held her breath. “It’s beautiful, Sarie. Wherever did you find it?” Her fingers stroked the grey-green serpentine figure. She lingered over the curve of the large bull seal’s head.
“I got it at Laura’s shop in Mousehole. It’s carved by a local artist using granite from out by Land’s End. I thought it would be most appropriate, given the circumstances.” Sarie smiled at her friend’s happiness.
“May I see?” Gwin Scawen leaned over her shoulder.
“Of course.” Bella passed the figurine to him.
The piskie held it in his palm a
nd then held it up to the light. Quartz sparkled and the serpentine veining shone and seemed to move over the surface. “A fine piece, so it is. There’s magic in yon stone. You chose well, Mistress Sarie. But then I am not surprised, not at all.” He handed the bull seal back to Bella.
“It’s brill, Sarie. Thanks ever so much. I’ll treasure it always.” Bella hugged her friend.
“Now, about that birthday feast….” Sarie began pulling things out of a basket. A table materialized in the centre of the room which she spread with a gaily-coloured cloth. Cold chicken and other delicacies appeared. “The grand finale,” Sarie announced and produced the necessaries required for a scrumptious cream tea.
“Oh, my!” Bella clapped her hands with glee. “This is the best birthday ever. Thank you both so, so much. If Vear was here it would be absolutely perfect.” Her smile faltered a bit.
“Come now, Mistress Bella. No sadness, things will come out for the best in the end. They always do,” Gwin Scawen urged her. “Enjoy the celebration of your natal day with us, your very bestest friends.”
Chapter Thirteen
“Oh my, that was wonderful.” Bella scooped the last bit of clotted cream up with her finger and licked it off. “Do you have to go, Sarie, or can you stay the night?”
“I told Mum I wasn’t sure when I would be home, so if Gwin thinks it’s okay, I can keep you company tonight.” She looked toward the piskie who was sprawled on the cot dozing.
“Aye, what?” He raised his head and blinked in their direction. “If Gwin thinks what’s okay?”
“Do you reckon it’s safe for me to stay the night here?” Sarie laughed at him.
He sat up and replaced his cap on the wild thatch of hair sticking every which way on his head. He paused to consider for a moment before replying. “I don’t see why not. I haven’t heard anything to indicate it would be a problem. Oh, such fun! A sleepover!” The piskie chortled and made himself more comfortable against the pillows.
“Oh! What’s that?” Sarie whispered.
Voices and the scuff of boots filtered down the fogue. It sounded like three or four people, but the echo made it difficult to be sure.
Gwin giggled and winked at Bella. “Nothing to be alarmed about, Mistress Sarie. ‘Tis only our entertainment for the night.”
Sarie looked to Bella for a better explanation. “It’s day-trippers come exploring.”
“Where should we hide?” Sarie got to her feet and began gathering up the remains of their dinner.
“Whist, ye now. They can’t see us, Mistress Sarie. Set you down and watch the show.” Gwin rubbed his hands together in glee.
Sarie clambered onto the cot and drew her knees up. Bella settled beside her. The voices grew louder and more distinct. In a moment the first hiker stuck their head into the round chamber.
“Look, this must be the chamber that’s marked on the map,” the red-haired man said.
“It’s not much to look at, is it?” A young girl followed the man in.
“How can you say that?” The third member of the party entered. “Look at the stonework, how they fit together like a hand in a glove. It’s a marvel of engineering, so it is. The roof is corbelled, just like Bru na Boinne in Ireland.”
The young girl shrugged and wandered over to the wall to kick at some loose stones.
“Isn’t Newgrange a passage tomb? Do you think this is a grave?” The fourth person lingered in the doorway, obviously reluctant to enter.
“There’s no evidence it was used as a burial chamber, no one is sure what these structures were used for.”
“Watch this,” Gwin said. He picked up a rock and hurled it at the far wall. It landed with a clatter and smacked on the floor.
The woman in the doorway screeched and backed up so fast she tripped and landed on her arse.
“For heaven’s sake, Malva! It’s just a rock Lisa was booting about,” the red-haired man said.
“I didn’t do it,” the girl protested.
“Well, who did then?” Malva asked, getting up and brushing off her trousers.
Gwin chuckled and hurled two stones, one to each side of the chamber. They hit the wall with a sharp crack and slithered to the earth. Malva shrieked and her footsteps echoed as she beat a hasty retreat.
“Lisa, stop acting the lig.” The red-haired man had an Irish lilt to his speech.
“It wasn’t me,” the girl protested.
Bella picked up a bit of brush Gwin had brought earlier as tinder for the fire and wrapped a good hunk of spider web about it. She approached the second man and poked him in the ribs as she passed. His growl of protest was drowned out by the screech of protest from Lisa as Bella dropped the spider web nest on her head.
“Get it off, get it off,” she screamed batting wildly at her head.
“Where did that come from?” The second man’s breath whistled in his nostrils and his eyes bulged in his head. “This place is bleeding haunted, Tad. Safe place to explore, my arse. Someone poked me right before Lisa screamed.”
“You’re full of it. This place ain’t haunted, you’re just letting your imagination run away with you.” The red haired man snorted.
“Are you guys coming out soon?” Malva called down the fogue.
“I’m outta here,” Lisa declared and legged it out the door as fast her legs could carry her.
“C’mon, George. Don’t you want to look around a bit more? Check out the stonework construction?”
Bella and Gwin convulsed with laughter, hugging each other and wiping tears away. Sarie frowned at them although a small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.
“I don’t like it here, you stick around if you want. I’ll meet you outside.” George left without a backward glance.
Tad scrounged around a bit more and then unzipped his trousers in readiness to relieve himself. Gwin snatched up the remains of a pitcher of water and dumped it over the man’s head. The red-haired man cursed and looked around as if he expected to see someone. All he saw was the puddle of water at his feet. He cursed again and left the chamber on the run without bothering to re-zip his fly.
“Oh my, oh my! That was ever so much fun,” Gwin crowed. “How dare he think to use this place as a loo. Bloody cheek, served him right, so it did.”
“Did you see the look on his face?” Bella could hardly talk she was laughing so hard.
“No wonder the wee folk have such a bad name,” Sarie remarked. “That was hardly kind of either of you.”
“Perhaps not, but it was ever so much fun.” Bella made a brave attempt to look contrite, but one glance at Gwin Scawen set her off into hysterics again.
“I fail to see what you find so amusing, daughter of Eve,” the deep rich voice vibrated in the enclosed space.
“Begging your pardon, sir,” Gwin scrambled to his feet and bowed so low his forehead touched the ground. His swarthy face paled and his eyes darted toward Bella as he straightened up.
“Who are you?” Bella demanded ignoring the cautioning look from Sarie and Gwin tugging on her sleeve.
“Who I am, is none of your concern, what I am is more to the point,” the creature replied.
Bella blinked and studied the newcomer. He looked kind of human, but not totally. His ears were too pointy and there was a feyness about him that sent chills of unease over her skin. Sweat blossomed on her chest, he reminded her of Jan Tregeagle. “What are you, then?” She decided to brazen it out. It wouldn’t do her any good to let him know she was terrified.
“I take it you are Arabella Angarrick?”
She nodded, almost against her will. Why should she tell him anything at all? Sarie came to stand with her and Bella welcomed the show of support.
“I am your escort, you will come with me directly,” he commanded.
“My what? What makes you think I’ll go anywhere with you,” Bella protested.
He sighed. “We can do this nicely, or we can do it not so nicely. Entirely your choice, Arabella Angarrick.”
“What does he mean?” she whispered to Gwin who was clutching her leg.
“He’s come to take you before the Council. Most unusual, most unusual. Mortals are never seen by the Council, no, never. Oh dear, oh dear. Vear Du must be in terrible trouble. You must go, Mistress Bella. You must.”
“I don’t want to go by myself. What if they don’t bring me back?” she hissed the words through her teeth.
“I’m waiting and my patience is wearing very thin,” the strange creature interrupted.
“Who are you? Are you taking me to see Vear Du? I’m not going anywhere until I get some answers,” Bella persisted.
He sighed again and his eyes unfocussed as if he consulted someone she couldn’t see.
“Very well. But I must say, you are the most tedious creature I’ve had the misfortune to meet in many a long year. What the benighted selkie sees in one such as you is beyond me. I am Silken, King of the Selkies, sent to bring you before the Council of Kernow. I only agreed to do this pedestrian task in order to get a look at the mortal who is the downfall of the great and exalted Vear Du.” He sneered at her, his upper lip twisting and revealing sharp pointy teeth. They should have sent one of their lackeys, but instead they asked me for some obscure reason. Does that satisfy your tiresome curiosity? Come, it is time we were going.”
“Oh my, Silken, so it is. King of the Selkies, oh my stars, oh my stars.” Gwin Scawen wrung his hands and jigged from one foot to the other. “Oh, Mistress Bella, you must go, you must. Do whatever you can to help the big black one.”
Bella planted her hands on her hips and stared the strange being down. “What could your foolish Council want with me, a mere mortal?” She twisted the last three words derisively. “How can I possible help? Your kind obviously have no use for mortals of any kind.”
“Bella,” Sarie warned and placed a hand on her arm. “Tread softly here, don’t make things worse, you. Think of Vear.”