The Trespassing of Souls

by M S C Barnes

Dryad lore for millennia to come.” With that he zoomed over to the lake and Seb stared, speechless again, as Alice dropped down and landed on a solid surface. He looked like he was standing on air.

  “Yeah, nice trick, Al,” Zach said. Grinning, Alice pulled a leaf from his shoulder. “Eeoou, should you be doing that?” Zach asked, but then whistled as Alice dropped the leaf and it floated down to land on something invisible four feet or so above the surface of the lake.

  Zach ran over, straight across the water, and in seconds was sliding his hands along the invisible object. Seb took a step forward and the thing glinted. Walking past the hundreds of Dryads onto the lake, he joined Alice and Zach, staring open-mouthed at a huge, clear, sparkling diamond. As Seb peered closely at it he could see an outline inside it. Right at the centre of the diamond was a hollow space which clearly showed the cast of a dead Mr Duir.

  “We did it, Seb! You and the Dryads – we made the Glacial Trace work!” Alice zoomed down, lifted Seb, who had no time to protest, and plonked him on top of the crudely cut shape.

  Its edges had a complex of faceted sides. When Seb moved, the light shining off the many surfaces sent a shimmer of sparkles into his eyes. Gazing down into the water he could see the bottom of the diamond had its own clear plinth that descended, he guessed, to the lake bed.

  Dierne, grinning like a schoolchild, joined Seb and, standing on the diamond, gave a quick bow. “Aelfric was right to trust you and I can never repay you.”

  Seb felt embarrassed and grinned. “Actually, you can.” Dierne raised his leafy eyebrows. “You can get me off this thing,” Seb said.

  “Oh Seb, you are such a wuss – it’s not that high.” Zach laughed as Dierne obliged and dropped Seb back down to the lake surface and they all rejoined the group on the bank.

  A hush fell as Mr Duir addressed the assembly.

  “Today a tremendous feat has been achieved, a feat that most believed impossible. That it was achieved is due to two things: the ability of souls to work together, and the ability to trust.

  “For my part, I thank the noble Dryads.” He bowed to the watching crowd and, turning to Seb, smiled, “and I thank an innocent and young soul for showing us what can be done when you simply care and have the will to try.” He beckoned to Seb who nervously walked over to him. Draping his arm across his shoulders, Mr Duir continued, “The acts of this young soul tonight have been stunning to behold and I am proud to introduce you all to your new Custodian. Put your faith in him and assist him, because he has proven his worth even before his confirmation.” Looking down at Seb he said to him, “Seb, your self-doubt is a strength to be embraced – it shows how deeply you care. I could not have placed my soul in safer hands.”

  Cue squeezed between them, nudging Mr Duir’s arm off Seb’s shoulders and onto his huge head. Mr Duir chuckled and the sound sent ripples around the cave. The Dryads rustled and the fireflies danced merrily.

  “You too, Cue.” The Head patted him.

  There began a spontaneous procession of Dryads flitting over to examine and marvel at what they had all created before each one then whizzed away through the walls or roof. The event was marked by happy laughter, conversation and celebration and Seb stood with Mr Duir, watching while every one of the thousands of Dryads completed a respectful bow to them before viewing the diamond with its ghostly imprint of Mr Duir in death.

  Zach became bored after ten minutes and so it seemed did Miss West. The pair drifted off to the other side of the lake, Miss West looking happier than Seb had ever seen her. She appeared to share a joke with Zach as they walked side by side. The others joined them but Seb and Mr Duir waited while every Dryad had the chance to pay their respects.

  The Caretaker stood nearby, saying nothing and, glancing over, Seb realised that those genteel features wore an expression of thoughtful uncertainty. Mr Duir followed his gaze then looked back at the next Dryad bowing in front of him.

  Over his shoulder he called to The Caretaker, “Morgan, Cue and his pack will need a keeper. I need you to accept that role … if you would not find it onerous.”

  Cue seemed to understand and instantly leapt forward, sitting expectantly before the puzzled Caretaker. Seb saw The Caretaker’s features soften and a small smile spread across those thin lips.

  With a nod The Caretaker answered, “Not onerous, Aelfric – an honour.” Cue stood and, lowering his huge head, licked The Caretaker. “Okay, that’s not going to happen more than once.” The Caretaker pushed the wolf away and began to walk to the other side of the lake.

  Mr Duir turned now and spoke again. “You are part of us. To lose you would be a heartbreak I do not wish to endure.”

  Seb was surprised at the personal comment and The Caretaker’s footsteps stopped momentarily. The figure turned, nodded and smiled slightly, then walked on, Cue striding behind.

  Alice, who had been hovering close to Seb spoke quietly to him. “The Caretaker is the last of Heath’s group. A very difficult and lonely thing, I suppose.”

  Seb hadn’t thought about it. “To us The Caretaker is just one of them, us all. But if you put it like that, yes, it must be hard. What happened to the other three of that group, then?”

  “Not sure, Dierne hasn’t said, but Braddock was saying they crossed over so I am guessing they decided to end their service.”

  “Is that even an option?” Seb was surprised.

  “Yes. Once the new group is founded the members of the previous group or groups can elect to end and move on.”

  Seb bowed to one of the last few Dryads in front of him and asked Alice, “How does that even work – surely they would know too much to come back and just live a normal life?”

  “Seb, that is within the gift of the Elders. That is one of the options given at the solstice or the equinox. Every member is asked. If they elect to relinquish their role then they move on to become Dryads. They move to the next stage, the next reality. The essence of who they are remains but they become Dryad.

  “The Caretaker must have declined every offer since Aelfric’s group began, choosing to remain with Heath even when the other members were gone. I wonder if this offer will be met with a different response …”

  Seb realised what Mr Duir’s comment meant now and hoped The Caretaker, having been given a new role, would decline. He couldn’t imagine what it must be like to have spent so many hundreds of years with one group of people to see them leave, one by one, and then to be the only one remaining, a character on the outskirts of the new groups coming through. Mr Duir seemed to view The Caretaker, though, as part of his own group, and Seb hoped The Caretaker realised that.

  As the last of the Dryads completed their viewing of the magnificent diamond on the lake and flitted off into the cave roof, Mr Duir said to Seb,

  “Now we must continue. It is the equinox and the Elders must confirm you. But I do believe you all need some explanations before we go any further.”

  Having got over their amazement at witnessing Aelfric Duir’s return, the teachers had busied themselves on the far side of the lake, relighting the fire, and, Seb hoped, making food for everyone. They seemed like different people, the serious, brooding moods gone and they laughed and joked with each other.

  Cue followed The Caretaker round like a lost puppy and had to be pushed away several times so that The Caretaker could tend the fire.

  As Seb walked over with Mr Duir, the sentinels flanked them. Reaching the semicircle of mats that were still in place, Mr Duir said to the gathering, “There is something Seb and I must do and then we will eat … and talk before the Elders are called.”

  Mr West nodded to him, smiling happily. In fact the whole of Mr Duir’s group seemed to be behaving as though they were on an exciting summer camp. Seb guessed the return of their Custodian was something that would lift their spirits for a long while yet.

  “Dierne, as glad as I am to be reunited with you, you cannot attend. We deal with the sentinels.” Dierne nodded, understanding. “You too, Alice.” Mr
Duir turned to him. “You must remain here.”

  Alice looked petulant but Dierne seemed to explain something and Alice slumped sulkily to the ground, perching cross-legged on a rug by the fire.

  Mr Duir led Seb, accompanied by the sentinels, to the cave opening, which had closed, Seb noticed. With a wave of his hand Mr Duir revealed the irregular opening and the section of wall collapsed towards them. He mumbled a word and ten of those sentinels who had been positioned at the wall left their posts. Mr Duir stepped through the doorway followed by Seb and the sentinels.

  Keeping the entrance open, Mr Duir stood in the middle of the dais and the ten knights formed two rows, facing him and Seb. When he spoke it was so quietly Seb could barely hear him.

  “You all swore your allegiance to Heath Fletcher. That Custodian is no more.

  “I will ask you each in turn and you must answer faithfully and honestly. There will be no judgement.

  “First knights, step forward.”

  With that, two knights from the left side of the two rows marched towards Mr Duir and Seb and, stopping, knelt on one knee. Even in that position their heads came up to Seb’s chin.

  Mr Duir continued in the same quiet voice. “Do you wish to continue in service loyal to the Custodians or do you wish release? Speak your answer.”

  There was a pause and then a haunting sound, like voices carried on the wind.

  “We continue.”