Ghosts of Perigord

by Marc Lindsay

  A goodnight’s sleep was just what Jason needed, not to mention it seemed to give him a fresh perspective on the whole Kava dating his mother scenario. Besides he’d be gone at the end of this week, so what could it hurt and if it made his mother happy for a while, it couldn’t be all that bad. Could it? Jason let that linger as he got ready for school. Luckily his mother had left early on a work related matter, so they weren’t able to continue their discussion on how dreamy Kava was or something of an equally horrible nature. So after Jason ate breakfast he departed for school, early for once he stopped by Selene’s house and picked her up along the way. Jason was forced to sit through Selene’s and Ursula’s mock surprise at his timely appearance.

  ‘Were you able to find anything on Mr Vert?’ Jason asked steering the conversation away from him. Ursula shook her head.

  ‘I’m afraid my contacts in the guild have been unable to dig up anything on the mysterious Mr Vert, which could mean one of two things. One he’s very new and an unknown quantity or two he’s extremely good and an unknown quantity,’ Ursula said.

  ‘Well that’s a dead end,’ Jason said deflated.

  ‘My friends are still searching for information, so let’s not give up yet,’ Ursula said confidently. ‘In the meantime, what are your plans?’ Jason pondered on this.

  ‘I honestly don’t know.’

  ‘Really,’ Ursula and Selene answered simultaneously.

  ‘Yes really,’ Jason said with a sigh. He then went on to explain about the stone goblin in the park, Kava dating his mother, and Heinrich’s return. ‘It feels like there is too much going on, and I’m having trouble processing any of it.’ Ursula nodded sympathetically.

  ‘Apart from Kava wanting to take your mother out. I am aware of these things. Which is not your problem at all to worry about,’ Ursula explained. Jason was about to reply but was silenced by Ursula.

  ‘She’s a grown woman in the prime of her life with needs and desires, this is a good thing. Besides she would never do anything that would bring shame to either of you. As for Heinrich, that’s for Ulysses and Amelia to decide, first and foremost it’s their war, they will ask for help if that is what they desire,’ Ursula said.

  ‘What about the goblin?’ Jason asked.

  ‘Well that’s something I’m willing to concede deserves to be looked into,’ Ursula said.

  ‘How would you suggest we proceed?’ Selene asked.

  ‘I don’t know, I think your instincts so far have been pretty good, maybe you should trust them and follow your gut. Just please keep me in the loop. Okay?’ Ursula asked. Both teenagers agreed that they would.

  Chapter 20

  As Jason and Selene were sitting in class a white florist van was making its way through town, its driver either picking up withered looking plant bulbs or delivering its bounty of vibrant flowers. Every person that dealt with the elderly well-groomed gentleman was impressed with the way he carried himself, friendly, charming, diligent. As Heinrich pushed yet another cart of bulbs towards his van there was almost a skip in his step, an eagerness that went well beyond just doing his job.

  As the van was loaded a lone pair of eyes watched closely the proceedings below from atop the Perigord municipal building. Ulysses in the form of a large hawk regarded the van as it pulled into traffic and headed towards its next destination. Once out of sight the hawk spread its wings and took flight, gliding high above the van, intent on following its every move.

  Chapter 21

  The morning’s lessons seemed to go on and on with nearly no end in sight, by the time the lunch bell had sounded Jason felt as if he had just run a marathon. When he finally got to their position under the tree, Jason was pleased to see that Selene was already there waiting.

  ‘Hey good-looking,’ she said with an appraising eye.

  ‘Hey yourself,’ Jason replied, trying to act casual but the light flush on his face showing that public displays of affection embarrassed him a little. Nonetheless Jason cared deeply for Selene, even so far as to say that the L word had crossed his mind. Was he too young to be considering those feelings real, he didn’t know? Not that it really concerned him, he was happy just enjoying the moment.

  Jason leant over and kissed Selene, she cupped his jaw, this feeling always sent a thrilling jolt of electricity through him, something he hoped would never stop. He knelt beside her and pulled out his lunch from within a brown paper bag. Two students walked by wearing heavy jackets and boots, their breath visible from the cold. Selene watched them pass, the ghost of a smile on her lips.

  ‘I’ve lived my whole life here and every year when winter comes around, we freeze. No matter what you wear or try to do it was always a battle to remain warm. But not this year,’ Selene said with a grin and running a hand over her insulated black leather jacket.

  ‘How long before it starts snowing?’ Jason asked.

  ‘A week, two tops. The temperature has really dropped recently, they say that indicates the snow should be especially heavy when it arrives,’ Selene said.

  ‘I have to admit I’m really looking forward to seeing Perigord under a blanket of snow,’ Jason said enthusiastically. At that moment a thought crossed his mind, Selene noticed this.

  ‘What’s the matter?’ she asked.

  ‘I honestly don’t know why I didn’t think of it sooner,’ Jason said.

  ‘Think of what?’ Selene asked.

  ‘You said that it’s been really cold lately, right?’ Jason asked. Selene nodded.

  ‘So!’

  ‘So, remember the other day out at the orchard, did you notice anything unusual?’ Jason hinted. Selene thought about it then shook her head.

  ‘No. Nothing I can pinpoint. The trees looked fine, plenty of fruit…’ Selene’s voice trailed off. Jason gave her a knowing glance. ‘Of course, fruit on the trees, at this time of the year. How can that be?’ Selene asked.

  ‘It can only be one thing. Mr Vert,’ Jason said.

  ‘What about Mr Vert?’ a voice from behind said? They both turned to find Wendy Rothchild? standing there, an interested look upon her face.

  ‘And how long have you been standing there?’ Selene asked a scowl plastered across her face.

  ‘Long enough to know something weird is happening in the orchard,’ Wendy said defiantly.

  ‘Listen, I don’t know what you think you heard but…’

  ‘How many times do I have to tell you? I don’t want to cause you any trouble. I just want to help,’ Wendy said almost pleading her case.

  ‘Really, and how do you intend to do that?’ Jason asked in a dismissive tone.

  ‘Well for starters Mr Vert is my uncle,’ Wendy said. It was almost comical how Jason and Selene both accomplished a double take at the same time.

  School had finished, Jason and Selene sat in a corner cubicle at Ash’s diner, both nursing steaming cups of hot chocolate.

  ‘What do you intend to say to her?’ Selene asked in a worrying tone.

  ‘I have no idea. But her involvement and knowledge cannot be denied, it’s almost as if fate is dictating her involvement,’ Jason said.

  ‘I agree, but how much information do we share with her?’ Selene replied. ‘I think we let her do the talking and then go from there,’ Jason said. Almost on cue a bell sounded and Wendy walked through the diner’s entrance and after a quick look around saw the pair and made her way over.

  ‘Sorry I’m late, I had to drop off same late library books. I didn’t want to get on Ms Brewster’s crap list,’ Wendy said, as she slid onto the seat opposite. ‘So how do you want to start?’ Wendy asked eagerly.

  ‘Slow down. We’re asking the questions here. If at any time I don’t like the way that this is going, I’ll terminate this discussion. Do we have an understanding,’ Jason said firmly. Wendy remained silent but nodded her agreement.

  ‘First up. What do you think you know about me?’ Jason asked.

  ‘Well, it’s no secret that I’ve been observing you for a while and…’


  ‘Just answer the question,’ Selene interrupted.

  ‘I know that you’re not human,’ Wendy said.

  ‘Oh, and what am I then?’ Jason asked.

  ‘Some kind of mythical beast…? A mutant…? The result of a government experiment?’ Wendy continued to list a number of possible answers to Jason’s question. Each time gauging his reaction to her response. ‘An alien?’

  Jason shifted in his seat and Selene touched his arm and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

  ‘An alien, I knew it!’ Wendy said with a squeal of delight. ‘What kind? This is awesome.’

  ‘Keep your voice down, would you. Could you be any more annoying?’ Selene said sternly. ‘Oops, sorry,’ Wendy winced, then looked around to see if anyone had overheard. Satisfied that they weren’t she gave them a sheepish smile. Jason and Selene did not return it.

  ‘What do you know about the library?’ Jason asked.

  ‘I know it’s not a man-made structure,’ Wendy said.

  ‘Explain?’ Selene asked.

  ‘Well, from what I’ve been able to find out, the structure goes against any of the laws of architecture,’ Wendy said. Jason and Selene both gave her a confused glance. ‘I’ve been in there on many occasions and from what I’ve seen and what I’ve read, the interior defies any logical explanation. It’s as if someone with a fantastic imagination had designed and built it using far advanced technology,’ Wendy said.

  ‘If this is the case then why haven’t you told anyone about it?’ Jason said. ‘Who said I haven’t,’ Wendy said angrily, then immediately deflated. ‘No I’m lying, I haven’t. All I really want is to be part of what you two have.’

  ‘And what have we got,’ Selene said.

  ‘Magic and fantasy, a life of excitement,’ Wendy said desperately. This softened Jason’s resolve. Slightly.

  ‘You mentioned your uncle, Mr Vert. If you want to help, tell us about him,’ Jason asked.

  ‘As I said, he’s my uncle. On my mother’s side. But we don’t have anything really to do with him. He doesn’t socialise with us,’ Wendy said.

  ‘You must have some information that could be useful to us,’ Selene said. Wendy thought this over.

  ‘He’s very wealthy, as you know he’s the sole supplier of apples and pears for the Black River Brewery,’ Wendy said.

  ‘We know this, surely you have personal knowledge you could share,’ Jason said.

  ‘I’ve been in his house. He has a large trophy room, well that’s what my mum called it,’ Wendy said.

  ‘You didn’t believe it?’ Jason asked.

  ‘It’s not that I didn’t believe her it’s just that…’

  ‘It’s just what?’ Selene prompted.

  ‘They’re not trophies, they’re weapons, hundreds. And they give off an aura,’ Wendy said.

  ‘What do you mean?’ Selene asked.

  ‘I was only very young when I was there and in there by accident. The room is huge and lined with all sorts of ancient weaponry, swords, hammers and shields. My mother was there to ask for a loan and while they were talking I ran off to play. When I entered the room I felt a strange coldness and a humming in my bones, you could feel power emanating all around. It scared me, it scared me a lot. Moments later I was found by my uncle and mother. They had a huge argument about me being in the room and then we left,’ Wendy said shivering at the memory from her childhood. ‘In the room were all the weapons locked up in cabinets or behind bars?’ Jason asked.

  ‘Not really, from what I can remember most were mounted onto walls. There were a few however that had been placed within glass cabinets, a bit like the ones in your library, for the Persian myth exhibit,’ Wendy said with narrowed eyes. ‘Why would you want to know that?’

  ‘No reason,’ Jason and Selene replied simultaneously. This reaction only deepened Wendy’s interest.

  ‘Are you planning something?’ she asked the pair. They both shifted uncomfortably. ‘I knew it, can I help. Pleeaase.’ Jason held up a finger and Wendy fell silent.

  ‘Selene can I talk to you in private,’ Jason said. Selene nodded and they moved out of earshot. ‘What do you think?’ Jason asked.

  ‘I’m not entirely happy with any of this. But she knows so much already, with her intelligence and obvious passion she could become a real asset.’ ‘So that’s a yes?’ Jason asked. Selene reluctantly nodded.

  ‘Besides we don’t have to tell her everything do we,’ Selene said. They walked back to their booth. Wendy remained silent awaiting their verdict.

  ‘On one condition,’ Jason said.

  ‘ANYTHING!’ Wendy blurted out. Jason and Selene smiled serenely back. ‘You can’t tell anyone,’ Jason said in a serious tone. ‘No one?’ Wendy asked a little taken aback.

  ‘No one!’ Jason said with finality.

  ‘Hey if this request is a little too hard…’ Selene started to turn away.

  ‘WAIT, wait,’ Wendy pleaded. They stopped and turned back to face her. ‘Hey no problem.’

  ‘No, if you decide to share this with anyone, then you become the problem,’ Jason said, grimly, hoping he appeared as menacing as he was trying to sound.

  ‘Okay, okay, I got it.’ Wendy said.

  ‘Oh and one last, thing, for the time being you are to stay away from the library and Mr Walker and Ms Jax. They want their anonymity for the moment, this is also non-negotiable,’ Jason said. Wendy nodded. ‘You obviously know where I live. I’ll see you there after school tomorrow.’ Jason said.

  ‘And don’t be late,’ Selene added. Wendy gulped and nodded, her eyes large, the realisation of the world she was entering was just beginning to sink in.

  As they left the diner Selene watched Jason closely, a big dirty grin on his face. Selene shook her head, then as an afterthought punched him hard on the arm. Jason winced.

  ‘Enjoying yourself just a little too much in there?’ Selene said rhetorically. ‘Hey, I had to sell it, didn’t I?’

  ‘You certainly did that,’ Selene said with a chuckle.

  Chapter 22

  They arrived at the library to find Ulysses and Kava in a heated discussion. As they approached, Jason noted that Ulysses was trying to calm a very agitated Kava down, unsuccessfully.

  ‘You said you were certain it was there,’ Kava said firmly.

  ‘No, I said that I could of sworn that it was in there, not certain. You need to relax,’ Ulysses said, concern in his tone.

  ‘I really need that page,’ Kava said, the tone of desperation heavy in his voice. Selene moved forward and placed a hand on his shoulder.

  ‘What are you looking for, maybe we could help,’ Selene said. Kava knocked the hand away.

  ‘I hardly need the help of you two whelps,’ Kava said contempt in his voice, his eyes black and cruel. Everyone stared at Kava, shocked at his outburst. Kava was breathing heavy, his anger simmering, it took him a few seconds to realise the others in the room were watching with disapproval, Kava attempted to reign in his rage turning his scowl into an apologetic smile.

  ‘I’m deeply sorry, everyone. I obviously do not handle stress very well,’ Kava said sheepishly. ‘I have less than a week left and I need that thirteenth parchment for my collection.’

  ‘This is a big place, I’m sure if we all pitch in we could find it,’ Jason said. ‘Your protégé’s shame me my friend. Again I would like to apologise,’ Kava said.

  ‘No need to apologise, we’ve all been guilty of losing our temper at one time or another,’ Ulysses said.

  ‘The two possible places that the parchment could be are either storage rooms one and two. Selene and I can start looking in two if you want,’ Jason said. Ulysses nodded thankfully. ‘Great we’ll start right away.’ Without further word Jason grabbed Selene by the arm and steered her away.

  Jason pushed Selene through and shut the door behind them.

  ‘What was that about?’ Selene asked.

  ‘You know how I feel about that guy right, well this whole situation i
s kinda setting off alarm bells in my head,’ Jason said.

  ‘You lost me, look I know he flipped out just before but…’

  ‘Just hear me out. Ulysses wouldn’t have given Kava false hope if he didn’t think that the parchment was here, right.’

  ‘Which is why we’re here looking for it.’

  ‘I don’t think it wants to be found,’ Jason said.

  ‘The parchment,’ Selene said confused.

  ‘No the library,’ Jason said with a sigh. ‘I’m not explaining this very well. Have you noticed that every time we’ve needed information, even when we didn’t know it ourselves, the library provided it?’

  ‘So you’re saying that for some reason that we’re not aware of, the library is keeping the parchment hidden,’ Selene said dubiously.

  ‘Yeah, that’s pretty much what I’m saying. I know it’s a big stretch but I think the parchment should remain hidden,’ Jason said hoping she would see his side. After a moment of silence Selene let out a deep breath.

  ‘Okay, I’m assuming you have a plan then?’ Selene asked.

  ‘Well, not so much as a plan, intelligence gathering. I want to know more on Persian mythology, in particular more about the helmet, the mace and the thirteenth parchment. Something’s not right,’ Jason said.

  ‘Where do we start?’ Selene asked.

  ‘I’ve still got those two books on me, could start with that, then tomorrow we go through Plato’s books and see what we can find.’

  ‘That’s a lot of stuff to go through.’

  ‘Well it’s a good thing we have our new partner in crime to help out isn’t it then,’ Jason said with a grin.

  The following afternoon they waited patiently in Jason’s kitchen for Wendy to arrive.

  ‘I’m still having reservations about her involvement in our affairs,’ Selene said.

  ‘You know what they say, keep your friends close and your enemies closer,’ Jason replied.

  ‘Time will tell which one I think,’ Selene muttered. As if on cue the front door bell rang. ‘Shall we greet our new partner then,’ Selene said with mock enthusiasm.