The Trespassing of Souls

by M S C Barnes

imposing Knights Sentinel stood guard, their swords raised, tips touching over the heads of the Guardians. Outside their ranks and flanked by the remaining four Sentinels, were Heath and the others.

  A sudden bright light illuminated the hand on the wall as Mr Duir reflected light from the shaft onto his palm and then onto it.

  “Aelfric, let me take Seb back,” Heath whispered to him. “He’ll be safer at the cottage.”

  Mr Duir shook his head. “Lily, quickly,” he said.

  Miss Angel gazed at Mr White’s tin and uttered one word. Now the light rebounded from the hand onto the two recessed carvings which reflected it back again to the hand. A line of light extended horizontally above it and two lines dropped vertically to the floor, then the entire mass of wall within the lines fell backwards, crashing to the ground.

  “Who would have guessed?” Zach whistled.

  They were staring through a gaping doorway into a further, massive, cave. The chalky floor below the platform spread from the opening into the new cave and curved round to form the banks of a large lake over which millions of fireflies fluttered, making a rippling light show which was reflected and magnified by the water of the lake. There appeared to be no other entrance or exit to this cave which was ten times the size of the one they were in.

  The Caretaker and Miss West hurried everyone through, escorted by two columns of Knights. Scarlet rushed over to sit beside the lake. Nat, more subdued, sat beside her. Not knowing what else to do, the boys joined them, standing on the lake bank, all staring into the dappled waters.

  Only now did Seb notice that at least fifty more Knights Sentinel were positioned around the outer walls of this vast cave, all motionless, like an army of statues. The knights that had escorted them from the previous cave formed an arc in front of Seb and froze.

  The Caretaker and the teachers went to the far side of the lake where there was some sort of a camp set-up, with log seats and colourful rugs. Mr West, having brought with him some bulky bags, plopped them on the ground and began rooting through them. Only Mr Duir and Heath remained in the smaller cave.

   

   

  Preparations

  Seb could only hear snippets of what Heath was saying to Mr Duir. His voice sounded strained.

  “… dangerous, Aelfric … too soon … to the cottage.”

  Mr Duir, head lowered, stood listening.

  Seb didn’t really want to hear any more. He was nervous enough. He knelt next to Scarlet and as he did she punched him on the arm. Every knight in the cave raised their sword and leapt towards her.

  “Hold!” Mr Duir shouted from the entrance. The knights stopped dead in their tracks, lowered their swords and resumed their guard.

  Scarlet was stunned. “What was that?” she asked, horrified.

  “I think they protect me.” Seb looked at the ground, embarrassed.

  “I thought that was my job,” Zach said, trying to sound put out but unable to hide the awe in his voice.

  “Mr Duir said they guard the Custodians in this place.”

  Scarlet’s face had turned white. “So we can’t even touch you?” Her voice was shaky.

  “You punched me, Scarlet!” Seb stared at her.

  “Only because I’m angry with you.”

  “What?”

  “Where did you go? How dare you just abandon us?” Her silver pupils flashed behind her glasses.

  “I had … issues,” Seb said, hanging his head.

  “You always have issues. Since this whole thing started you’ve had issues! What is the problem, Seb? How could you just leave us, especially when I needed you to be there?”

  “Why would you need me?”

  “Well, Seb, a small matter of watching Dad’s death, watching The Taz being born and then— ”

  “And then, Scarlet … discovering that our relationship meant nothing? We are just disjointed souls, bumping into each other for a brief moment in time before moving on,” Seb said quietly.

  “You’re my brother, Seb. You should have stayed with me.”

  “Your brother on this visit – not ever before or ever after. Realising that made it all seem meaningless.” He shook his head.

  Scarlet threw her hands in the air and then punched Seb again. Instantly she pulled her arm away, staring at the Sentinels. They didn’t react and she relaxed then carried on with her scolding, “You’re a numpty, Seb Thomas. This is the only visit that counts at the moment, the only one we are experiencing now. Everything from before affects, everything that comes after is affected by, this visit. You are meant to be my brother on this occasion, so why don’t you try behaving like one?”

  Seb was surprised. Scarlet obviously understood it far better than he did.

  “But Scarlet, it’s all so temporary.”

  She punched him again, apparently confident now the knights wouldn’t react.

  “Stop doing that!” he complained.

  “It was always going to be temporary, Seb – seventy, eighty, maybe even a hundred years – that’s not new. I don’t get what your issue is; just because we know we were here before and will be here after, what difference does that make?” Her eyes opened wide. “Don’t you think it’s fantastic?”

  Seb sat down.

  “You’ll get piles, you know,” Zach said helpfully, standing over them with his arms crossed.

  “Shut up, Zach,” Scarlet tutted. “I still want to know why you walked out on us.” She spoke more seriously.

  “Well I didn’t see it like you then, Scarlet. But Alice helped me see it differently. And then being in the woods, alone … well, I realised I do want to be part of this, with you all.”

  “Aw, how touching.” Zach rubbed Seb’s hair roughly. “Where did you go?” Then without waiting for an answer he put a hand up. “No wait, I don’t care …” He stuck his head forward angrily at Seb. “You walked out on us!”

  Seb realised it wasn’t just Scarlet who was annoyed with him. He glanced at Aiden who looked sad.

  Turning to Nat he asked, “Are you angry too?” hoping for a kind word from her.

  “I understand what you saw was upsetting, Seb.” Seb nodded, relieved. “But you left without giving any of us a chance to help you, and you— ”

  Zach interrupted, “Left us in a hole in the ground.”

  Seb felt really bad now. “I am sorry,” he said. “I’ve been an idiot.”

  “Yup!” Zach glared at him.

  A scraping sound stopped the conversation. Mr Duir and Heath, a concerned frown on his face, had stepped through the cave entrance and the cave wall was rising. It slotted back into place without leaving even a crack to show a door existed. The Sentinels parted as they approached and Mr Duir stood over Aiden, holding out a hand.

  “Aiden, your tin,” he demanded.

  Shrugging, Aiden fumbled in his pocket and then placed the shining object into Mr Duir’s palm who snapped his fingers closed around it and put the tin into his own trouser pocket.

  Heath seemed to have cleared his head of any concerns. Back to his good-natured, happy self he smiled.

  “I am sure you must be hungry and thirsty. I believe The Caretaker is getting food ready.”

  Seb glanced across the lake. The Caretaker had slotted together some thin poles to make a tripod about four feet high, hung a pot from it and had built a roaring fire beneath. Nearby Mr West had removed an array of things from his capacious bags. Among them were several strangely shaped mirrors slotted into bits of silver framework. He was passing these mirrors, which were a foot or so in diameter, to each of the teachers.

  Heath squeezed his tall frame between Scarlet and Seb.

  “Do you mind if I join you?” he said with a beaming smile that made it impossible to deny his request as he sat. Nat got up and moved round to the other side of Aiden, making more room. Mr Duir watched her then gazed across the lake. Since nothing exciting appeared to be happening over there Zach decided to quiz Heath and Mr Duir.

  “These Sentinels then,
do they make me redundant?”

  Seb wasn’t surprised Zach felt threatened by them, they were formidable.

  Heath chuckled. “Oh, Zach, not at all. The Knights Sentinel are a shadow of protection you will only find at this and a few other Sacred Places, and only when summonsed by a Custodian. They defend those places and the Custodians when they are present. Your role is to defend Seb wherever you are. Consider them an extra arrow for your bow.” Zach seemed satisfied and, nodding, sat down opposite Heath, picking at the earth with the tip of his staff.

  “So where do they come from?” he asked. “Are they human?”

  “Very much so.” Heath reached a hand over and stopped the movement of Zach’s staff. “Don’t let Trudy see you doing that,” he grinned. Zach darted his eyes across the lake guiltily, to see if Miss West had noticed. She hadn’t. Heath continued.

  “The Knights Sentinel are normal souls,” he said, “encountered by a Custodian and noted for their loyalty and trustworthiness. They pledge an oath to that Custodian to devote their present existence to guarding the Sacred Place and that is exactly what they do … and all they do.”

  All the while Heath spoke Mr Duir stood watching the activity on the other side of the lake. He made no move to sit with Heath or to leave.

  “Really? All they do? Nothing else? What about TV, sport, cinema? They just stand here?”

  “Zach, what else would you have them do? It is a binding pledge, taken with a full understanding of what they commit to. Were they to go and watch TV who would stand guard?”

  “Well, other ones! They must have shifts; they can’t be here all the time. When do they eat, sleep … pee even?”

  “Oh, for goodness’ sake, Zach,” Scarlet said.

  “Scarlet, we all do it. And so must they, surely.”

  Heath laughed. “I have never really considered it, Zach. I have gone so far beyond expecting normality in any part of existence. Let us just say that, whenever they are called, they are there. Where they go in between …well, I am sure there is an opportunity for rest and comfort.”

  “Well, that’s not an answer,” Zach said disapprovingly. “In all the centuries you have been a Custodian, in all those years, you’ve never wondered how it works – never?”

  Heath shrugged. “Well no, I haven’t. I just accepted that they come when needed. Not that I have had much cause to summons them,” he added.

  “So why have they been called now?” Aiden asked, looking up at Mr Duir.

  Ignoring the question Mr Duir spoke to Nat. “I think Greg needs you over there, Nat,” he said.

  Nat had been sitting, head bowed, but now jerked her head up.

  “Oh, okay,” she said and got up to leave.

  Heath looked puzzled.

  “I am sure Greg is fine, Aelfric.” He laughed. “I know you met with some issues last night, but to call the Knights Sentinel is an extreme measure. Is it really warranted at this time?”

  Mr Duir frowned but didn’t answer.

  Zach continued, fascinated by the knights, “So what’s in it for them – can’t be much of an existence?”

  Now Mr Duir did speak. His voice was calm but his eyes flashed a warning.

  “It is not for discussion.”

  Heath laughed again. “Aelfric, come on, they need to know. Their reward for taking that pledge, Zach, is an existence in the same form for an allotted period of time beyond the time when Nature would have recalled their soul.”

  Mr Duir’s eyes fell on Heath as if he disapproved of his encouraging the conversation.

  “What period?” Zach stared at the frozen knights.

  “That is known only to the Sentinel and the Custodian to whom they made the pledge,” Heath answered.

  “Okay, but is it a few years or decades, centuries even? It actually sounds more like a curse than a reward.” Zach decided.

  “Ah, Zach.” Heath chuckled. “There is one more element to it that— ”

  “Heath!” Mr Duir now sounded angry. “They all need to eat and drink before the passage begins.”

  The suggestion of eating and drinking was music to Seb’s ears; the smell of cooking had reached him from across the rippling waters and his stomach growled in anticipation.

  “Mm, lunch!” Sentinels forgotten, Zach marched around the bank towards the cooking pot. The others followed, escorted by a double column of Sentinels.

  Seb glanced back and saw Mr Duir and Heath deep in conversation. Then, laughing, Heath clapped Mr Duir on the back and they joined the group.

  Colourful rugs had been placed on the chalky ground in a semicircle in front of log seats and The Caretaker, after handing each of them a bowl of delicious-smelling stew and a cup of water, told them to sit and eat.

  Seb’s palm had begun tingling. He ignored it, focused on the food in front of him. He was so ravenous he forgot about being fussy and scooped a spoonful of the stew up to his mouth. Before he could eat it, however, Nat placed a hand on his arm.

  “Seb, wait,” she whispered, staring at The Caretaker.

  “What?” Seb was irritated. Hunger had given him the shakes.

  “Just wait,” she whispered it to the others but Zach had already devoured a good half of his stew and was slurping down some water before digging in again. Scarlet and Aiden were tucking in with enjoyment. Seb tried to put the spoon to his mouth again but Nat became more insistent. “No Seb!”

  He tried not to shout. “Nat, I’m starving – if I don’t eat I’m going to faint!”

  “Something’s not right with— ” Nat began but as she said the words a dark shadowy patch appeared in the centre of the lake and lifted out of the water. Seb dropped his spoon into his bowl.

  Suddenly there was movement everywhere. The Knights Sentinel standing behind them swiftly formed a complete circle, swords raised, facing outward. Seb could barely see between their legs, but what he could see and hear were the legs of the other fifty Sentinels as they rushed from their positions lining the wall of the cave, to form a ring around the lake. And then every other one paced out onto the water and raced across it as though it were a solid surface, charging at the now fully formed shape of the ogre.

  Like a child caught in the act of some bad behaviour, the ogre stood, rocking and whining. The fireflies above the lake had swarmed down and were circling it as though illuminating it for the Knights Sentinel who had covered most of the distance between the bank and the awkward figure.

  And then Nat jumped up and yelled, “Stop! Leave it alone.”

  There was a bark of command from Mr Duir which brought the onslaught of the knights to a halt. Seb rose, wrapping an arm around Nat’s shoulders to try and comfort her, aware that she was choking back tears. The tingling in his hand was so strong he struggled to ignore it. He darted a glance down at Zach, surprised that he hadn’t sprung into action.

  Zach sat on his rug, bowl and spoon dropped in his lap, head on his chest, apparently asleep. Seb felt a burst of adrenaline and glanced at Scarlet. She too sat, head down, eyes closed … as did Aiden.

  Seb felt fear mixed with light-headedness from hunger. He heard a few words from Mr Duir and the ogre sank back down, disappearing below the rippling waters. The knights on the lake surface about-turned, paced back to the bank, and resumed their guard along the wall.

  Mr West hurried over to Nat and encouraged her to sit.

  “It’s not evil or malicious … but such sadness.” She told him, sniffing. “We must be able to help it, surely?” She looked to Mr Duir. He turned away with a slight shake of his head.

  Zach began snoring, his chin firmly on his chest. Seb was lost. Had he been drugged, poisoned? He glanced at Scarlet and Aiden and then looked for The Caretaker ready to accuse. The blue-hooded figure was nowhere to be seen.

  Now Seb felt a surge of anger and shouted, “Where is The Caretaker? He … she, well … they’ve all been drugged.” He pointed at Scarlet, Zach and Aiden. “And if Nat hadn’t stopped me eating I’d be drugged too!” He glared around
at each teacher and Heath, waiting for them to rush over. They didn’t move; in fact they didn’t seem surprised at all.

  “You all planned this?” He stared in disbelief.

   

   

  A Time to Sleep

  Seb waited for some reaction from the teachers.

  Eventually Mr Duir said, “You can drink yours, Seb, your water was untouched. Nat, sadly, you must drink yours.” He handed her a cup. “You must sleep for the Passage of the Elders; if you do not your body will age.”

  Miss Angel crouched down beside Nat, taking her hand.

  “Only the Custodian can experience the passage without any effect on their physical body. Three times I have chosen to watch and Dominic twice.” She nodded towards Mr White who smiled. “The ravages on the aesthetics of our bodies are obvious, although our strength and capacity remains. I have long since given up any care about appearance, having seen so much more than the superficiality of human beauty. But you are so young; you cannot permit the devastation of your youthful shell so early in your service.”

  As she spoke, Mr West released Nat’s other hand and walked over to join his twin and Mr White. They each lifted a wooden cup to their lips and drank. One by one they slept. Nat nodded at Miss Angel, lifted her cup and drank.

  Miss Angel asked over her shoulder. “Aelfric, the Sentinels – will they be protection enough?” Seb noticed her glance at Mr West.

  Mr Duir answered quietly, “They are what we have, Lily.”

  Letting go of the now sleeping Nat’s hand, Miss Angel took her own cup and drank, sitting between Mr West and Mr White. Her head dropped and she slept.

  Standing amongst this dreaming group, Seb wondered what The Passage of the Elders was. He glanced around at the Sentinels, cold and motionless as the suits of armour in the Tower of London. He tried calling Alice. No answer. And where has The Caretaker gone? he thought.

  Mr Duir, approaching the lake, said, “Seb, we must walk.”

  Heath smiled at Seb. “Exciting, huh?”

  Seb watched as both he and Mr Duir walked onto the lake. Like the Knights Sentinel before them they didn’t sink or even interrupt the gentle ripple of the water.

  “Seb, walk,” Mr Duir instructed. “You must keep with us.”

  “I can’t do that!” Seb called, not even attempting to put a foot forward. “I’ll sink.”

  “You will not.” Mr Duir said. “Walk!”

  Seb timidly placed a foot onto the water. Instantly hundreds of little hazy shapes zoomed up to meet it. He stared at them and as his eyes focused he could see miniature imp-type creatures. They were only about an inch long, with tiny hands, cute pixie-like faces and a massive pair of wings which flapped so fast they were a blur as they turned and moved through the water.

  The water-imps assembled around and beneath Seb’s foot and as he placed the next foot a new wave of the creatures zoomed up to meet and support it. In their multitude they held his weight and Seb smiled with relief. He took the few paces to catch up with Heath and Mr Duir. In spite of a nagging fear and continued hunger, Seb chuckled, glancing back at the sleeping figures on the bank.

  I’m walking on water; shame Zach can’t see this !

  Reaching the middle of the lake, Mr Duir indicated for Seb to stand between him and Heath,