Ghosts of Perigord

by Marc Lindsay

  Contents

  Works by Marc Lindsay

  Works by Marc & James Lindsay

  Acknowledgements

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Epilogue

  About The Author

  PERIGORD

  PLATO WYNGARD AND THE VALLEY OF THE IMMORTALS

  Works by Marc Lindsay

  PERIGORD SERIES

  Perigord

  Ghosts of Perigord

  Sins of Perigord (2017)

  Works by Marc & James Lindsay

  PLATO WYNGARD SERIES

  Plato Wyngard and the Valley of the Immortals

  Plato Wyngard and the Armour of the Gods (2017)

  Acknowledgements

  Wow. It’s been a year since I brought out my debut novel Perigord. A lot has happened since then. Speaking at schools, going to the expo’s and meeting the readers and the other authors. Despite the changes, one thing remains the same. The support of friends and family.

  I would like to thank Lois Bird (Wassy) for her assistance with editing this book. Gordon and Bonnie Albrecht, my in-laws, or out-laws, as I jokingly refer to, for helping fund and more importantly believing in the finished product. As always, Mum for her everlasting love and patient ear. My brother James, who has been the voice of reason when navigating the intricacies of publishing. And my wife Kate who has been supportive in every way possible during the steps of my writing.

  Finally, I would like to thank all, who read Perigord. Taking a chance on an unknown author and delving into my imaginary world of young adult, urban fantasy. I hope you stick with me through the long journey, I promise to stay true to the characters and give it my all.

  Special Thanks to:

  Timothy Marrinan,

  Kirrilly Toomalatai,

  Andrew Wotley,

  Melinda Seymour,

  Yvette Morris,

  Karen and Jason Dennis,

  Kevin and Mapuia Armstrong.

  Craig Anderson, and

  Kelly Mole.

  Sometimes it’s the little things that mean the most.

  Chapter 1

  He was running as fast as he could along the forest floor, jumping fallen logs, weaving through trees and ducking under the ferns that covered the ground like a blanket. As he moved Jason attempted to scan his immediate vicinity, sunlight struggling to break through the thick forest canopy.

  ‘Where the hell is he?’ Jason muttered as he dived under a low branch, he had adopted the form of a leopard, his movements were sleek and fluid and the camouflage of his fur helped him blend in with his natural surroundings. Jason observed that the forest had now become eerily quiet, his hearing unable to pick up even the slightest source of activity.

  Skidding to a halt Jason spun around hoping to catch a glimmer of whatever was chasing him, after several tense minutes he changed back to his human form.

  ‘I know you’re out there, show yourself,’ Jason shouted, but this outburst was greeted only with silence. A flash of movement streaked past his left peripheral, Jason whirled around only to find the shaking of a fern nothing else.

  ‘So is it going to be like this is it,’ Jason yelled out frustrated. Without waiting for a reply he changed form again, growing an extra foot in height and eighty pounds of solid muscle. His regular features vanished and they became hardened and blunt replaced with red eyes and pointed ears, his arms and legs thick and muscular, fists the size of bowling balls and finally his skin turned a dirty green in colour.

  ‘I’m ready now, bring it on,’ Jason challenged in a low growl, again this was met with silence. Balling his fists up Jason let out a roar hoping this would instigate the beginning of a confrontation, just as he turned a dark figure leapt from the thick vegetation closing the short distance in a matter of bounds. Hearing the sound Jason spun in time to see the figure leap and strike him square in the chest, the momentum knocking him on his back and the air from his lungs. Before Jason could do or say anything the figure lent in close, he could now make out the black head of a panther staring at him, its paws on his chest the claws out. Jason closed his eyes and sighed as he felt the weight lift from him.

  ‘You’re it?’ a voice said, Jason opened his eyes to find Ulysses standing before him dressed in jeans, coat and boots.

  ‘Utter bullcrap,’ Jason complained.

  ‘You know where you went wrong?’ Ulysses said casually.

  ‘No, but I’m sure you’re going to tell me,’ Jason said miserably as he got to his feet and changed back to human.

  ‘Your biggest problem is patience, or lack of,’ Ulysses said and Jason rolled his eyes. ‘I’m serious, why did you change from the leopard to the, the, what was that thing anyway?’ Ulysses added.

  ‘It was an Orc, and I did it because I was preparing for combat,’ Jason replied.

  ‘Today wasn’t about battle, rather it was about stealth, a simple game of tag,’ Ulysses said.

  ‘I was just trying to improvise; I didn’t know what to expect,’ Jason said.

  ‘That’s what I’m talking about, you shouldn’t just jump from form to form unless you’re anticipating something specific, or otherwise you’re just showing off and wasting energy,’ Ulysses said. Jason was about to reply when Ulysses waved him off. ‘I think we’ve had enough training for one day, don’t you?’ he said and Jason nodded eagerly.

  The pair arrived back at the Perigord public library and Jason immediately went in search of Selene, finding her in storage room two. The room was the size of a football stadium, and was the second of six rooms. Rows of shelves filled the room and after several minutes of searching Jason found Selene practicing her marksmanship with her newly acquired bow, under the tutelage of Ms Jax.

  ‘Hey, how long have you two been hiding down here?’ Jason asked.

  ‘Sssshhh,’ Ms Jax replied holding an index finger to her lips, she stood behind Selene who was holding an archers pose with an arrow cocked. They all remained silent as Selene regulated her breathing, then exhaling, she released the bowstring. The arrow flew the length of the room and struck the centre of a small target dead centre that was swinging from left to right on a suspended pendulum.

  ‘Whoa,’ Jason exclaimed his jaw dropping open, seeing his reaction a small smile escaped Ms Jax.

  ‘Impressive wasn’t it,’ She replied proudly.

  ‘That was amazing,’ Jason said. ‘I can’t believe how good she’s gotten.’ he added. Selene appeared not to have heard any of this, she remained in position with the bow raised and her gaze still fixed on the target. Then without warning she notched and fired three arrows one after the other in quick succession,
they all hit their target wedged tight next to the first arrow. This time Jason and Ms Jax stared on, together wearing matching looks of incredulity.

  Selene lowered her bow then turned to regard her onlookers, a gleaming smile hitting her face upon seeing Jason.

  ‘Hey good looking,’ Selene said as she raced into Jason’s arms giving him a huge embrace.

  ‘That was beyond incredible,’ Jason replied returning her hug.

  ‘Oh that, that was easy,’ Selene said with a shrug.

  ‘She has a gift,’ Ms Jax interjected.

  ‘Never mind that, how has your day been?’ Selene asked changing the subject.

  ‘Oh, you know the usual, getting stalked in the forest by a wild jungle cat,’ Jason said casually.

  ‘Oh, poor baby,’ Selene said with a chuckle.

  ‘I take it you were unsuccessful in your game of tag with Ulysses?’ Ms Jax asked with a smirk.

  ‘The only thing I managed to get was a lecture,’ Jason said miserably.

  ‘Don’t be so hard on yourself, Ulysses has a millennia of experience,’ Ms Jax said.

  ‘Let me guess, be patient,’ Jason replied.

  ‘Exactly,’ Ms Jax said with a smile.

  It was right on dusk when Jason and Selene left the library, the cool breeze in the air made Selene engage her alien clothing creating an Eskimo style parka, the type with the fur running the edge of the hood.

  ‘I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, I love my suit,’ Selene said as she dropped her hands into her pockets and nudged close to Jason, who casually wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close as they walked on.

  ‘I still find it weird how my body’s physiology regulates my temperature, I know it’s cold,’ Jason said, then demonstrating by breathing out hard, the liquid from his lungs condensing to a fog in the evening air.

  ‘The last few weeks have gone by in a blur, I can hardly believe how much my life has changed. Meeting you, the library, Aliens, my Grandmother and the guild,’ Selene said.

  ‘Don’t forget nearly drowning, bounty hunters, a crazy villainous teacher nearly ending the world, and you becoming the libraries champion,’ Jason added with a laugh.

  ‘And me killing someone’ Selene said her happy demeanour suddenly turning melancholy, Jason rounded on her placing both his hands on her shoulders, he looked her square in the eyes.

  ‘Hey don’t do this to yourself, it wasn’t your fault,’ Jason said softly.

  ‘Really, I honestly don’t recall trying too hard to find another option,’ Selene lamented.

  ‘I don’t remember that bitch giving any of us a choice, we were failing and if it wasn’t for you the town, shit, the world would be gone,’ Jason exclaimed, his words were meant to soothe her but Selene’s eyes had begun to redden, but her jaw was firm.

  ‘I know,’ Selene sighed. ‘But I’d be lying if I said that it wasn’t keeping me up at night,’ she added.

  ‘C’mon let’s get you home,’ Jason said changing the subject as he grasped her hand and led her away.

  Later, sitting on the porch of at her Grandmothers, Selene and Jason were silently looking up at the night sky. Holding his hand on her lap, they both hadn’t said much since leaving the library and Jason was worried that Selene’s sadness was a lot deeper than he had originally thought.

  ‘You know with time being an issue the last few weeks, it’s great that we have moments to just kick back and do this,’ Jason said casually.

  ‘Like what?’ Selene replied vaguely, turning to him.

  ‘Like this,’ Jason answered as he gently took her face in his hands and kissed her passionately, surprised at first by his brashness Selene returned his advance, her hands running from his neck and up through his hair. Gently tracing his fingers along the edge of her jawline and down her throat, Selene sighed as faint goose bumps arose in the wake of his touch. Jason’s hands eventually found their way to her waist as he pulled her close. After several minutes of heated kissing, Selene reluctantly pulled away straightening her hair and clothes.

  ‘I’m sorry, did I do something wrong?’ Jason asked both disappointed and apologetically.

  ‘No, you, we have done nothing wrong. I’m just used to someone interrupting us, and to be honest I’d rather not continue out here, where my Grandmother could catch us,’ Selene said her cheeks still flushed crimson with heat. Jason nodded as they both rose to their feet.

  ‘You’re right I’m sorry I sprang that on you here,’ Jason apologised.

  ‘Don’t be sorry I’m glad you did,’ Selene replied with a devilish grin then leaning in to give Jason a brief kiss before disappearing through the front door, leaving Jason to contend with a myriad of mixed emotions.

  Chapter 2

  Ever since the night of the Harvest moon festival Jason had tried not to take anything for granted, in particular his mother. So every morning there after Jason had risen before dawn and gone about his morning routine of training, cleaning his room, and prepping lunch for the day and finally breakfast for himself and his mother. The first time Helen was astonished, the second time amazed, the third and fourth curious, now a week later she was suspicious. Helen loved her son dearly and knew she was lucky to have such a wonderful well balanced kid, but there was no teenager on the planet who would be going to such efforts without guilt or a price at the end of it. Helen lay awake in bed, her room still cast in darkness, the distant sounds of her son in the kitchen preparing breakfast could be heard.

  Jason knocked lightly and entered Helen’s bedroom carrying breakfast on a tray. Helen smiled as she watched her son place the tray on her lap.

  ‘Bon appetite,’ Jason said in a poor French accent, without waiting for a reply he turned and made his way out.

  ‘So what trouble have you got yourself into?’ Helen asked bluntly. Jason stopped dead in his tracks.

  ‘Say what,’ he replied, slowly turning to face his mother.

  ‘It’s a simple question,’ Helen said as she took a bite of scrambled egg.

  ‘Ah, a joke, you nearly had me there,’ Jason said, an unsure smile on his face.

  ‘No joke. Is there something you’d like to tell me?’ Helen asked, pushing her tray away.

  ‘Well this is completely out of left field. Why would you say that?’ Jason asked?

  ‘Well these breakfasts in bed for starters, oh and how you’ve been studying and working, home on time and all with a massive smile,’ Helen replied. Jason just stared at his mother gobsmacked then he began to laugh.

  ‘Really, I become a model son, and you think I’ve committed some nefarious crime,’ Jason said through gales of laughter. Helen went red as she looked down at her hands.

  ‘I’m sorry honey,’ Helen replied, but Jason waved her off.

  ‘I’m not angry, and you have every right to be suspicious,’ I’ve hardly had the best track record. However, in this instance my motivations are completely pure and innocent, just like me,’ Jason said with a grin.

  ‘Can we forget I even brought it up?’ Helen asked.

  ‘Consider it forgotten, now finish your breakfast before it gets cold,’ Jason replied and left his mother to eat in peace.

  Later that morning Jason met Selene at the front gates of the school.

  ‘You’re early again,’ Selene said with a grin. Jason feigned a hurt face.

  ‘What are you insinuating?’ he asked.

  ‘I’m not insinuating anything, I’m saying you’ve never been early, yet for the past week you’ve been getting in before me. What’s up?’ Selene replied. Jason raised an eyebrow and sighed.

  ‘First mum and now you, what else do you two have in common?’ Jason asked.

  ‘Well for starters we’re both intelligent, beautiful women,’ Selene said fluttering her eyes. ‘And two, we both worry about you.’

  ‘I’m flattered that you’re concerned but there’s nothing to worry about. I’m just managing my time a little better that’s all,’ Jason answered. ‘Anyway on a completel
y different subject, what exactly do you and Ms Jax get up to when I’m with Ulysses training?’ The pair made their way towards the main building.

  ‘Oh you know, archery practice, a little bit of unarmed combat. Did you know Amelia was a clan leader on her planet,’ Selene said with pride.

  ‘What’s that?’ Jason asked intrigued. They had just entered the school building and were making their way through the busy school corridor.

  ‘From what Amelia had told me her homeland was made up of nomadic tribes, one of which was governed by her,’ Selene said.

  ‘You mention all of this in the past tense,’ Jason stated. They both stopped in the middle of the corridor, a stream of students and teachers jostling by.

  ‘I know,’ Selene replied troubled. ‘I asked the same thing.’

  ‘And what did she say?’ Jason asked.

  ‘She said nothing, just looked at me with a sad kind of smile, then.’

  ‘Then what.’

  ‘Then she changed the subject,’ Selene said.

  ‘Really, you didn’t press her for information.’

  ‘No. That would have been rude and inappropriate, and I respect her too much for that,’ Selene said.

  ‘Fair enough,’ Jason replied.

  ‘Well this is my stop, I’ll see you at lunch,’ Selene said, leaning up on her toes she kissed Jason quickly before darting into her room. Jason looked at his watch then trudged off to class, English with Mr Rosenbaum.

  In English they were studying Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Jason wasn’t thrilled with the subject at first, as he thought the monster in the movies was lame, but as he quietly read the book in class Jason became enthralled in the story. So enthralled that he was completely unaware that a student sitting behind him was trying to get his attention.

  ‘Psssttt, Jason,’ The student whispered. ‘Jason,’ The student having received no response from him, scrunched up a piece of paper and tossed it at the back of Jason’s head.

  ‘Hey,’ Jason said. This made Mr Rosenbaum look up from his desk, when he saw who it was he scowled and mouthed the words ‘QUIET’. Jason shrugged apologetically then looked down at his book. Once he was sure Mr Rosenbaum was no longer taking notice of him Jason peered back in the direction of the thrown ball of paper. Jason smiled recognising a student from his gym class.