Jack Shian and the Destiny Stone (23 page)

A loud knocking at the door startled everyone.

“I thought you said you’d put a bell hex around here?” shouted Finbogie at Papa Legba.

The old man’s eyes showed fear.

“I … I did,” he stammered.

“That’s a human’s knock,” said Cleo.

Jack felt Tamlina’s ring vibrate, and looked down.

“It’s all right. We’ll be safe.”

He moved across to the door and opened it. An old man stood there, clutching a battered leather volume.

“John?”

“I see you worked it out.” The old man smiled. “May I come in?”

“This is John,” said Jack, ushering the old man in. “He’s a shape … what I mean is, he’s the eagle who flew above us when we were sailing. And who helped rescue us from Tula.”

“Marco and Luka said you would watch over us,” smiled Phineas. “If you’re a teacher like them, maybe you can explain to Fenrig here what this old document means. He thinks I wanted it only for my family.”

“So you worked out that the treasures cannot be held by any one group; that they must be shared by all.”

“Our young Brashat here is not convinced.”

John looked Fenrig square in the eye.

“I would have thought that the story of the King’s Chalice would have persuaded you of that.”

Fenrig tried to hold the old man’s gaze, but found he could not.

“We wondered if you would work things out. Several documents were placed very carefully for you to find all those years ago. But it seems the ancient Shian habits of stealing and losing have not been lost.” He eyed Fenrig sharply. “Where did this one end up?”

“With my mother, in Italy,” admitted Cleo.

“She took it to stop me seeking the Raglan stone,” said Phineas. “So I decided to go and ask Tamlina’s advice. That’s when the Grey captured me.”

“Ah! Tamlina! She had had the Raglan for many years – it was the source of her power. Finally she accepted that it was one of the great treasures, and there for all.”

“See?” smirked Fenrig.

“But not just Shian,” added John, watching Fenrig’s face fall. “We taught a number of you about the way three fits into one. Is that not right, Papa?”

Papa Legba had been silent since John’s arrival. Now he knelt, a picture of subservience.

“There’s no need for that,” muttered John. “You do not serve me. Now Jack, do you remember what Tamlina told you about where creation meets?”

Jack looked at Tamlina’s ring, and thought for a moment.

I didn’t even notice her ring the first time … But when we went back to see her: me and Petros and Grandpa …

“She talked of ‘her Raglan’,” he said slowly. “She said something about it teaching her … That’s right: ‘In the heavens, and on the earth, and under the earth; all o’ creation meets.’”

“And what does that mean, do you suppose?” asked John kindly.

“That we’re all tied in; linked.”

“But three in one. The Raglan – that’s part of the Destiny Stone. And the King’s Chalice – the cup that can move beyond death. And the
Mapa Mundi
– that shows believers their true path.”

“Then why does the map only work for Jack?” demanded Fenrig.

“Oh, others can use it – if they believe. The treasures are not magyck charms.”

“And they must be together to work at their best?” asked Jack.

“They’re part of the same pattern. Like putting three spiral arms together.”

Jack looked at Tamlina’s ring. He smiled at Papa Legba.

“Used well, they can bring blessings to many. But they can add power to destructive forces too. Your quest is to defend creation. You have learnt that the Kildashie are destroying the places they inhabit?”

“We’ve heard stories,” said Phineas. “Of land laid bare; and rivers poisoned.”

“Exactly. They have forgotten their links to the earth. Now they harness the Creator Force to destroy. That is
infama
.”

“Wait a moment,” said Armina. “We’ve to get rid of the Kildashie, and their allies. But what you said about all of creation: have we to take on the humans as well?”

“The Kildashie are no different to many humans, desecrating their surroundings. But let the good humans tackle the bad ones. Defeating the Kildashie is your task: stop them getting the Destiny Stone.”

“And when are they going to try that?”

“Your friends will tell you that when you see them tomorrow.”

“Is Grandpa here?” blurted Jack. “And Rana and Lizzie?”

“They’re not far away. Your family have tales to tell, as well as you. But you’ll see them at the solstice tomorrow. I’m sure you could all do with some rest now.”

“And what of the men we left at Lyosach?” asked Enda. “With the boats?”

“They’ll all join you tomorrow. The solstice will open up many routes, and many will be there, from countless places. So, rest well: you must be in Novehowe when the sun rises.”

For the longest night of the year it was the shortest night’s sleep Jack felt he’d ever had.

“Come on, Jack.” Phineas was shaking his arm. “We need to get across the road.”

“It’s still dark – it must be the middle of the night.”

“It’s gone nine. Remember how far north we are.” Cleo’s soft voice broke through the darkness.

The weary Shian travellers emerged into the chilly pre-dawn light of Midwinter’s Day. Mist hung over the house that had been their shelter for the night, and a cold frost lay on the ground.

“Where’s John?” shivered Jack.

“He’s gone,” replied his father. “Before any of us were awake.”

“So how do we know how to get to Novehowe?”

“It’s not far.”

Ossian was first to find the path.

“I can see Novehowe’s entrance!” he shouted excitedly, after a while.

“That’s where the humans get in,” pointed out Finbogie, holding his glowing sceptre aloft. “And the midwinter light. The Shian entrance is from underneath.”

The group made their way around the raised earthwork, and found a small depression in the ground.

“Ah,” said Arvin with satisfaction. “Now we’re in business.”

He took his sceptre out, and directed it at the sunken ground.

“
Effodio!
”

The earth loosened, then fell away, allowing the group to pick their way down to a dark chamber below ground. When the last of them had entered, Finbogie’s sceptre stopped glowing, and the hole above sealed itself over. Jack felt himself shrink down to Shian height.

“Has anyone got a light?”

“Careful!” said a strange voice. “You’re not the only ones here!”

“Who’s that?” asked Daid.

“I am Hogboy – and you’re in my home. Who are you?”

“We’re the Ilanbeg and Nebula Seelie,” explained Jack, whose eyes had grown accustomed quickly to the dark. “We’re supposed to meet with the rest of our family here – for midwinter.”

“We are visitors here,” added Phineas. “We have heard that the hogboons show great hospitality to strangers at this time of year.”

“Ach, every year it is the same,” grumbled Hogboy. “Shian visitors tumbling in. Very well, I’ll take you through.”

There was a scraping sound, and a small flame lit up the tiny chamber. Jack could see that Hogboy was much bigger than any of the new arrivals: a dark, grimy, hairy creature, with just a small cloth tied around his middle.

Hogboy lit the end of a wooden torch, and peered inquisitively at his new guests. Then he turned and pushed at the far wall. A stone gave way, and suddenly Jack could hear the sound of subdued voices.

“There they are!” Rana’s excited voice cut through the hubbub. “We’ve been expecting you for ages!”

“Only two days,” pointed out Lizzie.

In the flickering light offered by Hogboy’s torch, Jack could see that the larger chamber was crammed with close to fifty Shian.

“Quiet, please!” commanded a voice. “The sun will lift soon. Hogboy, put your torch out now.”

A mutter, and the flame died. Suddenly, everything was dark again.

“Welcome to our new visitors. Your arrival has been awaited with great anticipation. I am Magnus of the NorShian. We will have time later to talk; but now, let us greet the lifting sun. See! She rises!”

All the Shian in the chamber now stood up, and Jack had to crane his neck to see the tiny glow in the far wall.

“It’s the entrance tunnel,” whispered Armina. “The rising sun will find it and light up the chamber.”

Almost imperceptibly, a beam of light inched down the tunnel. And then, with a soundless splash, the chamber blazed as direct sunlight hit the far wall. There was a great cheer, as people slapped backs, and hugged each other. Bottles and flagons were brought out, and a muddled exchange of drinks began.

Eventually, the light began to dim, but it was quickly replaced by several dozen glowing sceptres.

“Grandpa!” shouted Jack as he caught sight of his grandfather and cousins.

Grandpa Sandy was trying to find Jack in the crowd, but there was so little room that it was impossible to move.

“We’ll repair to the big house!” shouted Magnus. “I’m sure Hogboy would like his home back. Until next year, my friend!”

The Shian walked along the entrance tunnel, emerging into the bright morning light.

“Why haven’t we risen to human height?” asked Jack as he and Phineas emerged.

“It’s a Shian festival day: with the sun risen, Shian rules apply. So we’ll need to stay away from the humans today, but Magnus will have that organised.”

Jack quickly found Rana, Lizzie and Petros, and made a half-embarrassed attempt to hug them. Lizzie was jumping up and down, clapping her hands.

Grandpa Sandy approached, knelt down and clasped Jack.

“I’m so glad to see you here.”

Jack could feel the tears on the side of his grandfather’s face.

“Father,” said Phineas. “We’re fine; although Tula was rough. And we’ve much news for you.”

“Magnus has everything ready at the big house; it’s not far. You can tell us your news there.” Grandpa Sandy wiped his face and got to his feet again.

“No, father: there’s something you must know right now.”

Phineas reached out his hand and beckoned Cleo forward. Rana’s puzzled expression said it all.

“This is Cleo.
Our
Cleo.”

Grandpa Sandy was stunned.

“You mean Jack’s sister?” asked Lizzie disbelievingly. “But where … ?”

“We rescued her from the Boaban Shee. Well, in fact,
she
helped
us
to escape.”

Grandpa Sandy now found his voice. He dropped to his knees once more and gazed into his granddaughter’s face.

“I wasn’t sure I would ever see you again.”

Cleo smiled self-consciously at the old man.

“Come on,” said Jack. “It’s getting cold. Let’s get inside. Where’s this ‘big house’?”

“It’s just past the stones,” said Rana. She set off along the road Jack had travelled the night before, and followed the crowd up to the standing stone circle.

“But that’s where we arrived,” said Jack.

“Not there, silly! Behind it.”

Jack saw the mound of earth behind the circle for the first time.

“It’s a tumulus!” said Jack, as he caught sight of the large earthwork.

“Best of its kind inside, though,” smiled Lizzie. “I’ll show you around.”

“No need to go deiseil here,” laughed Rana as she ran down the spiral slope that led into the mound.

They were soon inside in the warmth. Cleo was exchanging news with Rana and Lizzie, while Phineas and Grandpa looked on contentedly. The happy chatter of stories – told, contradicted by others who were there too, and eventually agreed upon – filled the enormous hall. Tables groaned under the weight of food and drink, and Jack helped himself to a well-earned breakfast. He was ravenous, and as he wolfed down another pie, he caught sight of Iain Dubh and a large fair-haired man talking. Iain Dubh beckoned him over.

“You will be Jack Shian?” asked the fair-haired man. “I am Magnus. Welcome to our islands.”

Jack tried to say ‘thank you’, but a spray of pastry came out instead. Magnus smiled.

“There will be time for all your news. We have a long day ahead of us. The midwinter solstice allows us to feast, after a time of hunger. Like our Nebula friends, our winters are lean: but today marks the start of our festival.”

“Jack,” said Iain Dubh, “Thank you for helping us on Tula. I don’t think we’d have got here without you. And we wouldn’t have this.” He showed the Gusog feather.

Jack blushed, and he gulped down the last of the pie.

“We all did what we needed to do.”

“But not all of us are here,” said Iain Dubh sadly. “Cal and the others are in the chapel room. We should go and pay our respects.”

Jack nodded, and went to get his father. It was sombre, having to see the corpses lined up on a table. He hadn’t really got to know the Twa Tams; but Cal had been good to him in the pustula. And what was he to think of Murkle? Part of him thought of all the times he’d sat, bored to tears in Murkle’s lessons, wishing the old tutor would just die. And there his body was: bloodless, as white as the sheet which had been covering it. Jack felt a surge of pity for his old tutor. Nobody deserved to die at the Boabans’ hands.

“They knew the risks we were taking,” said Phineas softly. “And that’s all the more reason that we have to succeed now. We’ve come a long way.”

Jack looked at Magnus.

“Then you will join us?”

“You must plead your case before the NorSeelie court: it is the way. But we can feast first – there’s time for talking later.”

“But you must help us,” implored Jack. “The Kildashie …”

Phineas put his arm around Jack’s shoulder.

“Later. We must respect their way of doing things. Let’s go and see how the others are getting along.”

When Jack entered the large chamber again, he could see that Ossian was getting ready for a wrestling contest. Over the next two hours, a series of bouts took place. Jack, his belly over-full, managed to avoid getting volunteered.

When the wrestlers had gone off to toast their victories or drown their sorrows, the musicians took centre stage again. Jack approached his cousins.

“It’s great, isn’t it? It reminds me of Cos-Howe. D’you remember? When Ossian took us the first time?”