The Dark Age (44 page)

Miles was getting a bit fed up with these incoherent answers. ‘That's what Brian said. What do you mean exactly? Were you there in a past life too?'

His tone was extremely patronising in Tory's opinion, thus hers became equally so. ‘No, actually I wandered into the Otherworld and the fairies took me back to the year five hundred, so I could have a look around for myself.' She smiled at him ever so sweetly.

Miles tried to calm himself, not wanting to seem rude. ‘Alright, I apologise. Please, just tell me, do you claim to be psychic or not?'

‘I don't claim to be anything. I am, however, chosen,' Tory answered, using ‘Taliesin tactics', in the hope he'd get frustrated and give up.

‘Chosen for what?'

‘Whatever.' She shrugged. ‘Look, I don't have all the answers, Professor. If I did I'd be in seventh heaven. However,' Tory was struck by a thought. ‘I will say this, you haven't found the site's greatest treasure.' Tory smiled at her own brilliance; she would get them to unearth the gateway for her.

‘How do you know?' Miles was exhausted with the conversation and wondered why he'd even bothered asking; she was only going to serve him another riddle.

‘Professor, let's pretend for a moment that you're not a sceptic. Then you would ask, what is it?' Tory lightened up a little. He'd obviously never even considered the possibility of the greater mysteries, and
so would find it hard to accept the suggestion of psychic ability unless she could prove it.

‘Alright. What is it?' Miles slouched back in his chair to finish his cold cup of coffee.

‘Dig in the centre of the circle of nine and there you will find a large stone altar that bears the Celtic cross.' Miles sat forward in his seat, more interested, but Tory continued before he could start asking questions. ‘However, you must not remove the tablet from where it is unearthed, until I have seen it, agreed?'

‘Why?'

‘Agreed?' Tory was adamant. ‘If I cannot trust you, Professor, I shall tell you naught. And believe me, you know little of the toys with which you play.'

Miles was awestruck, as Tory's entire presence appeared to change. She seemed larger somehow, more powerful. ‘I agree. If we find it, I will call you at once.'

‘
When
you find it, Professor. If you are always so afraid to commit yourself, I'm surprised you have ever obtained anything you sought,' Tory said in jest.

‘No offence, but my sources are usually a little bit more concrete.'

‘No offence to you, but they are usually the vaguest kind of reference, being entirely derived from nothing more than physical understanding.'

Miles laughed at the way their conversation was progressing. ‘Is this where we start talking about life, the universe and everything?' He decided it was the grass causing the peculiar feeling he had in his stomach, and the illusion that Tory seemed to glow like an angel.
Yeah, I'm stoned alright.

‘No, this is where I bid you a goodnight, sir.' Tory made her way to the door. ‘And don't forget, you promised.'

 

Come Sunday morning, Tory decided to make herself scarce to avoid answering any more of Professor Thurlow's questions, at least until he'd found the altar and was more accepting of her abilities. She had also felt the need for some fresh air, so she packed a picnic lunch, a rug, the baby's things, and a couple of good books in her backpack and, with Rhun resting comfortably in a pouch against her chest, she made her way across the fields.

It was a fine day and a cool soft breeze was blowing. As Tory walked along relishing the great outdoors, she thought about Miles Thurlow and wondered how he could possibly be a future incarnation of Maelgwn. Her husband was certainly more broad-minded than the professor, and unquestionably more developed physically. Perhaps when a soul incarnated, its progression didn't necessarily develop akin to that of human civilisation. From what she could surmise this theory was certainly true of Taliesin; he'd been Teo in the twentieth century long before he'd become Gwion Bach in the fifth.

Tory ambled on with no real destination in mind but when she came to the King's Men stones, she figured it was as good a place as any to settle in the shade of a tree and read. She found it comforting to consider that Maelgwn was in this very spot awaiting their return home, and in a sense she felt closer to him here.

Tory got lost in the silent bliss of a book for some time, before she became aware of footsteps. She looked up to see Teo, who appeared as if he'd just been to hell and back.
How on earth?

‘I thought I might find you here,' Teo explained with a smile.

Odd, Tory thought, when I didn't even realise I was coming here myself.

‘Hey, you look great!' He took a seat beside her and planted a kiss on her cheek.

‘Well thank you, kind sir. I wish I could say the same. What happened to you?'

‘Saturday night.' He flopped back onto the large rug, his shirt falling open to expose his smooth, bronzed, muscular torso.

‘Do you end up in this state every weekend?' Tory didn't mean to sound condescending, but it was rather disheartening to see her former
sensei
in such a decrepit state.

He laughed. ‘Every weekend? Every night more like,' he explained, holding his head that clearly pained him. ‘It's got to stop, I know.'

‘Then just don't do it! Self-inflicted, no mercy.'

‘I know, I know.' Teo sat back up, not looking at Tory. ‘But I'm finding it hard to get back on track, and I'm in no way blaming you for that,' he said before she could get the wrong impression. ‘The simple truth of it is, I just can't seem to get you out of my system.' He turned his dark eyes to Tory to catch her reaction.

‘I don't know what I can do,' Tory said, wishing she could somehow take the memories back; she couldn't
stand to see him so dispirited. But when he leaned across to kiss her, Tory stood up quickly. ‘Damn it, Teo.'

He held his palms up, motioning his surrender. ‘I'm sorry.'

‘No you're not,' Tory insisted, hands on hips.

‘You're right. I'm not,' he grinned, trying to make light of it.

‘If you think I'm going to be dipping and dodging your advances the whole time Maelgwn's away, you've got another think coming, mate. I could certainly whip your arse in its present state, so don't push me!'

‘I can't help myself,' he replied, looking defenceless.

‘In that case, I can't see you anymore.' Tory crouched down and began to pack up.

Teo reached out and clutched her right wrist tightly. ‘No, Tory. I'm truly sorry, I am.'

Tory wrenched her arm away from him, far from convinced.

‘Even when we weren't lovers, I used to flirt with you. I'm just having trouble adjusting to this no affection bit, but I'll try. I will.'

His plea seemed heartfelt and even a little fearful. Tory realised she couldn't abandon Teo just because he was going through a rough time, for which she had been the catalyst. ‘I want to stand by you, Teo, because you are my good friend, and I love you. But you always make it so damn difficult for me.'

‘I know I do,' he admitted. ‘Please, couldn't we just start over? I'll act like a long-lost brother, if you would regard me as such again. I really miss the three of us, Tory. I miss being part of the family. I guess the reason I
was so pissed off at Maelgwn was because he'd taken my place.'

‘How can you say that?' Tory sounded hurt. ‘You were, are, and always will be, an integral part of my life. And not just this life, I'm talking forever!' She wandered a little way from him, as a tear escaped her eye; she missed Taliesin, too. ‘You really have no idea.'

Teo was surprised by this. He hadn't seen Tory so upset since the day they'd decided to stop seeing each other, and he stood to calm her. ‘Tory? I didn't mean —'

Tory turned abruptly and grabbed hold of his shirt. ‘I want the real you back! I know that sweet, wise and understanding guy I loved is in there somewhere, and I want to see him, I miss him.' She let go, having expended her frustration.

‘From now on, I promise. Just one more chance.'

‘Alright,' she decided after much procrastination, and Rhun at once began to cry. This struck Tory as unusual as she almost always sensed when Rhun wanted something, long before he'd have to cry for it.

When she settled her child easily and found he wanted nothing bar her attention, she decided she should be very wary where Teo was concerned. But as the afternoon sky was fast clouding over, she took him up on the offer of a lift home and kept her suspicions to herself.

 

Over the next couple of months, Brian, Tory and Teo spent much time together focusing on their art, each with their own objective. Brian had students approaching grading, including Tory. Teo, having given
up his vice, had been invited by the family to take up residence in the gym, as he practically lived there anyway. They had offered him a room in the house but he had insisted that the spare room in the gym was fine. Tory thought it was important for Teo to feel part of the family again if he was to overcome the negativity that seemed to overshadow his every thought.

A few weeks of country life and the constant familiar company of the Alexander clan made Teo feel a new man. Able to maintain his focus with greater ease, Teo was happy assisting Tory in her preparation for the next Dan grade and he seemed almost back to his old self. At times he abused his privilege as her teacher, but it was usually in jest and no more than any other male might have done. Tory didn't find Teo's flirting to be seriously offensive and had started to relax in his company, every so often spying a glimpse of Taliesin's brilliance in him. However, he chose to ignore Rhun most of the time, just as he had Maelgwn. This unfortunately seemed to indicate that the malice Teo felt for her husband was still very much alive, and though Teo never spoke of his feelings for her anymore, Tory knew they still underlay everything he did.

O
n the day marking her second wedding anniversary, Tory finally heard from Miles about the altar. He apologised for taking so long to contact her, explaining he'd been tied up with other projects.

‘You didn't take me seriously, did you Professor?' Tory saw straight through him, even with a telephone line between them.

‘No, I didn't, regrettably. Yet, as fate would have it, we've stumbled upon your altar anyway. And it's just as you described,' he was excited to confirm.

‘Indeed,' Tory said, not in the least surprised. ‘You haven't moved it?'

‘No.' He sounded amused by the notion. ‘I think we'll need more equipment.'

‘Please Miles, promise you won't touch it until I get there.'

‘That was the deal,' he confirmed, a smile reflecting in his voice; he was glad for an excuse to see her again.

‘Good. I'll catch a ride up with Brian tomorrow.'

Just one problem; Brian was planning a dirty weekend, and so Naomi was driving down to visit him instead.

‘Now what am I going to do,' she wondered, as she didn't want to be left alone with Miles for any length of time.

‘Well you can still borrow my car. It will do you good to get away for the weekend.' Brian totally misconstrued her woes. ‘Between Naomi and Aunt Rose, I'm sure Rhun will be well cared for.'

‘It's not that.'

‘You fancy him, don't you, Tory? You think he's Maelgwn.'

‘I don't know what I think. Though the professor looks a lot like Maelgwn, they don't seem the same in other respects. You hang around at the site all the time, haven't you gotten to know him at all?'

‘Well, to tell you the truth, Naomi and I haven't been spending as much time at the dig of late,' Brian was pleased to say. ‘And Thurlow travels a lot, he never seems to be there. Look, if he bothers you so much, you could always take Teo with you,' he suggested, tongue in cheek.

‘Yes, I can just imagine how they would take to each other.'

‘I don't see what you're so worried about, if Thurlow gets out of line just hit him.' Brian dangled his car keys before her eyes, and Tory grabbed hold of them to stop
the annoying noise he was making. ‘So why are you going up there, anyhow?'

‘I just want to have a look around. I'll let you know if I discover anything of interest.'

 

Tory reached Llyn Cerrig Bach that afternoon. There was very little resemblance between the valley she drove through and the one she remembered, and although the road to the dig ran the same course as the old dirt track, much of the fairy wood had unfortunately disappeared.

She was pleased Maelgwn hadn't visited Gwynedd during his stay; she had taken a detour to see the remains of the citadel at Degannwy and found nothing but the mound on which it had been built. Where the great house at Aberffraw had once stood on Anglesey, as home to the Kings of Gwynedd for generations, there was but one small cottage on a vast expanse of land overlooking the ocean. To see both his estates completely obliterated would surely have rattled Maelgwn — it bothered her and she'd fully expected to find them thus.

 

Miles had been impatiently awaiting Tory's arrival all day. This wasn't at all like him, as he was usually too absorbed in what had been going on in the world centuries ago to worry about anybody or anything in the present. Yet today he had the concentration span of a two year old. He couldn't stop his attention from drifting to the entrance to the carpark, all the while praying that Tory hadn't changed her mind.

She's married, he reminded himself as he spotted Brian's car and so left his office to greet Tory. ‘How do I look?' he asked his secretary, Amanda, as he passed through the reception area.

‘As windswept and handsome as always. Why?'

‘No reason,' Miles replied. ‘Remind me to give you a raise.'

Professor Paradis opened his office door, and emerged reading a report that was falling to pieces in his hand. ‘Was that Miles I just heard come through here?'

‘I think so, he must be ill.' Amanda sounded quite serious. ‘He's all … playful.'

‘Playful. Miles?' Paradis sounded rather sceptical.

‘Well, he just gave me a raise for saying he looked nice.'

‘What?' Paradis moved to the door to see if Miles was still about, and spied him speaking with Tory. ‘Uh-huh, well there's your answer right there.' He chuckled as Amanda hurried over to take a look for herself. ‘Must be Renford's daughter. Apparently this psychic thing runs in the family. She told Miles about the altar months ago.'

‘Wow! Just like Brian.' Amanda took another look to see Miles and Tory heading for the office. ‘Quick, they're coming.' She hustled Paradis back to the desk and she sat down, sporting an innocent look, just as Miles entered with his guest.

‘Wait till you see it, it's just beautiful.' Miles was truly excited by the significant find.

Tory just shook her head with a smile. ‘I've already seen it, Professor. I keep telling you.'

Miles opened his office door and invited Tory in. ‘Could we get some tea, Amanda? Thanks.' He closed the door.

Paradis stared at his partner's office in disbelief; it was not like Miles to skip an introduction. Professor Thurlow was notorious for being preoccupied with his work, but never so with a woman. Paradis shook his head finally. ‘It's a pity she's married.'

After Amanda had brought in the tea and left the room Miles said, ‘I'll show you, as soon as you finish your cuppa.'

‘No, I need to see it when nobody else is around, like tonight,' Tory stated very matter-of-factly. ‘Can you arrange that?'

‘Not tonight, no. There are others who want to see it. But perhaps tomorrow night, as it's Sunday, it's a safer bet.' That worked out well, he thought, Tory would have to stay overnight.

Tory just nodded, accepting the delay as she sipped her tea.

‘May I ask why you have to see it alone?'

Tory placed the cup on the table and smiled. ‘No, that wasn't part of the deal.' She stood up, tossing the strap of her bag over her shoulder. ‘Do you know of a good hotel around here?'

‘I do, in fact.' He paused. ‘My place. It's on the island, it's quiet.'

‘It sounds way too nice for a happily married woman like myself. I'm afraid a hotel will have to suffice.'

‘I wouldn't hear of it. I was your guest in Oxfordshire.'

‘You were my father's guest,' Tory said, smiling at his persistence as she headed for the door; his grin was starting to get to her. ‘I'm sure there must be a nice hotel around here somewhere.'

‘There isn't.' Miles leant on the door to block her escape. ‘They're all terrible.' His dark eyes met hers.

‘Look Professor, I'm
married
.'

‘I know,' he stressed, taking a few paces away from the door. ‘I just want to spend some time in your company. I find you … interesting.'

‘I realise this, and that's why I'm not going to sit around all night while you make a mockery of everything I say.'

‘But I think you're for real.'

‘Well there's a breakthrough.' Tory clapped her hands together with a laugh.

‘Why are you being so hard on me? You don't know me.'

‘Oh, yes I do. You're exactly like my father aged, what … thirty-seven?'

‘Thirty-five,' he corrected her, catching her drift.

‘Whatever. But even Dad's wising up in his old age,' she said.

‘Wising up to what?'

‘The greater mysteries.'

Miles stared at her then asked, ‘What is this hunk of rock we've dug up?'

‘It's an altar.' Tory wondered why he'd asked when she'd already told him.

‘Right. An altar that even a crane can't lift.' Miles folded his arms.

‘You tried to move it? You shit, Miles!' Tory whacked his shoulder. ‘You specifically promised me you wouldn't.' Her eyes became stormy, as did the weather. Miles was silent in the wake of his betrayal, and Tory gave him a shove to wake him up. ‘You could have destroyed it, don't you realise.' She calmed down to a degree, knowing that anger wasn't going to help the situation any. ‘This isn't just some ancient stone you've dug up, it is a sacred site. You can't take off with part of it.'

‘Apparently not.' He frowned. ‘And now that you've told me what it isn't, could you kindly tell me what it is?'

‘I don't see why I should tell you anything.'

‘Well, perhaps the reason I don't understand is because you never explain whatever it is you're talking about,' he said, throwing his arms in the air, exasperated. ‘Every time I have a conversation with you, I just end up with this labyrinth of answers that I can't even recall the questions to. For instance, what did you mean when you said that I had no idea of the toys with which I played? Were you referring to the stone?'

‘Don't be ridiculous, Professor. That's only a piece of rock, what could it possibly do?' Tory said sarcastically.

‘Okay, I deserved that. But if you'd just give me a straight answer, I promise I'll believe it.'

Miles appealed to Tory in a way that reminded her of Maelgwn, and it was just as hard to resist him. ‘I'll show you tomorrow night, and I can guarantee you won't want to move it anywhere. So, I suggest you look into restoration.'

‘Restoration! You can't be serious?' There was little profit to be had in restoration, and in this case it would require a huge initial outlay. ‘I'm not in the restoration business, I'm afraid.'

‘Look, I'm just trying to save you some time.'

Miles shook his head, as he fell into his seat and observed her for a moment. ‘You are the most peculiar person I have ever met.'

‘Peculiar is good,' Tory decided.

‘Please allow me to cook you dinner. I'm a great cook.' She looked as if she was about to decline again, and Miles held a hand over his heart. ‘You'll be perfectly safe, I promise.'

Tory knew he was trouble, but there was nothing to be gained by running away from it. ‘Then, I accept.'

 

Naomi reached the house at Oxfordshire about five hours after Tory's departure. The altar was foremost in her mind and the news of it threw Brian into a state of panic.

That's why Tory's so interested all of a sudden, Brian surmised. She'll tell me if she discovers anything of interest … no way! I'm tired of missing out on all the action.

‘Brian, what's wrong?'

‘Nothing,' he answered, pulling on his jacket as he stood. ‘We have to get up there.'

‘What! But I just drove all the way down here.'

‘Shit!' Brian wasn't paying the slightest attention to Naomi's grievances. ‘Tory's got my car, you'll have to drive.'

‘But what about our weekend together? I've been looking forward to it all week.'

‘We'll still be together.' Brian helped her to get moving, pulling her gently but impatiently from her chair. ‘And that's the most important thing, right?'

‘I suppose so,' Naomi growled. ‘At least tell me why?'

‘I just have a premonition, I have to find Tory. Will you help me, please?'

Naomi sighed; how could she possibly say no to such a rueful face.

 

Tory left Brian's car in the enclosure at the site and Miles drove them back to his place. Tory hadn't given any thought to where he might live, until the car pulled into the long dirt driveway. It was the cottage on the point at Aberffraw where the house of Cunedda had once stood. She hit herself on the head for not guessing. ‘You live here?'

‘Yes. What's wrong with that?'

‘Nothing.' Tory began to laugh.

‘What's so funny?'

‘Nothing, really.' Tory caught her breath. ‘I love this place, and it just seems a coincidence that you own it.' She tried to cover up what she was really thinking as he certainly wouldn't believe the truth without proof.

‘All the way down to the water,' Miles said with pride.

As soon as Tory climbed out of the car she romped off across the property like a woman possessed, laughing and exclaiming with delight. She didn't care
what Miles made of this behaviour, the call of the familiar consumed her as she ran towards the beach. ‘I'm home …
yes
!'

The clouds rumbled as lightning flashed across the sky, yet Tory wasn't swayed from her course; the storm's pending fury only added to her release. She discovered that something of the house at Aberffraw did remain — the stairs that led to the beach. Tory stopped still, astounded by the sight of a familiar landmark. She and Calin had argued in this very spot. ‘Ha!' she shrugged, running down to the beach.

‘Tory, it's going to pour any minute,' Miles called from the bottom of the stairs.

‘I don't care!' she cried out, but didn't stop running.

‘You'll catch your death,' he insisted, not prepared to follow her further.

‘No, I most certainly won't.'

‘Well where do you think you're going, exactly?'

Tory laughed. ‘Exploring, wanna come?'

Miles was exasperated; she did pick the strangest times to do things, and this wasn't really what he'd planned for this evening. ‘Then who would cook dinner?'

Tory merely shrugged and flashed him a cheeky smile, then continued on her way.

‘Damn it!' Miles couldn't figure out if he was annoyed because Tory had run off on him, or because he hadn't followed her. She was a real wild child alright, being in her company was like the magical mystery tour. But she was fascinating, for she lived in a world so much more wondrous than his own. Her world
was more like the relics he dug up from the ground, the remnants of the fabled Old Ones.

He watched her disappear along the beach; she would surely return once it began to rain.