The War of the Grail (11 page)

Kanvar paused. ‘It seems unlikely. But not impossible. The Great Yantra will have always been here in Britain. Perhaps the native inhabitants could have discovered it. It is hard to imagine how they could have learnt to use it, though. They would surely have had no knowledge of yoga.’

‘No.’ Jack rubbed his chin. ‘I was thinking about that too. You see, in the stories, both Galahad and Oswin are said to touch the Grail to release the power.’

‘Touch? I do not understand.’

‘Just touch. Put their hands on it.’

Kanvar’s frown deepened. ‘I have never heard of a yantra being used through touch. The yantras have always been used through the mind. There is no other way.’

‘But this is a special yantra, isn’t it? Maybe it works differently. Maybe you have to actually touch the sattva streams that make up the design.’

Kanvar shook his head. ‘I am sorry to say, it seems improbable.’

‘But worth a try.’

Kanvar stared out across the valley. ‘Perhaps anything is worth a try in these troubled times. I will attempt it when I get to Staffordshire. I will touch the edge and see if I can achieve anything.’

‘You do that. But I reckon I’ll give it a try myself.’

Kanvar’s eyes widened. ‘You want to come to Staffordshire?’

‘Is that a problem?’

Kanvar lowered his gaze and paused for a moment. ‘You are welcome to come. But, in a way, have you not already touched the Great Yantra? You stood in the centre, after all.’

‘True. But I didn’t know as much as I do now. I didn’t know to try to use it.’

Kanvar bowed his head. ‘Very well. I have many doubts about your plan. But if that is your wish, I will take you to the meeting point.’

‘The Grail?’ Elizabeth dropped the ladle she’d been holding. ‘You’re going looking for the Grail again? I thought you didn’t even believe in it.’

Jack cleared his throat. ‘I’m not sure whether it’s real or not. But I have to try. It could be our last chance.’

The fire was crackling in Elizabeth and Godwin’s hut. Jack and Saleem had stopped by – as they often did – for dinner. A large iron pot stood in the hearth but Elizabeth had abandoned stirring it. Instead, she stood with her hands on her hips, and glared at Jack. ‘I don’t understand. You’re going to another meeting point. How do you know this one’s the Grail?’

Jack stalled. It was going to be difficult to explain his reasoning without telling the others about the Great Yantra. And he didn’t want to do that. He didn’t feel especially bound to keep it a secret. But still, Kanvar had said to be careful whom he told, and somehow this seemed the best advice. The Great Yantra was unreal, a mirage. He would wait until he knew more about it before mentioning it to anyone.

He took a deep breath. ‘I don’t know for certain this meeting point is the Grail. But I’ve been talking to Kanvar, and I think it could be. It’s a complicated matter and I don’t understand it all fully yet myself. You’ll just have to trust me about this.’

‘You told Henry you
wouldn’t
look for the Grail,’ Elizabeth said.

‘I know. But he wanted me to go all the way to Scotland. This spot is closer.’

Elizabeth huffed and fired a look at Godwin, clearly expecting her husband to say something.

Godwin shuffled, looked furtively at the ground, then raised his chin and said, ‘I thought the Grail was some sort of goblet.’

‘That’s how it looks in the drawings,’ Jack said. ‘But how many people have seen it? Galahad, Oswin and not many others. Who’s to say what it really looks like?’

Elizabeth scowled. ‘In the stories only a pure knight could ever touch the Grail. You sure you’re pure enough?’

That made Jack pause for a moment. ‘I don’t know what it’ll take to use the Grail. I don’t know if I’m pure enough. I’ll just have to try my best.’

‘Is it because Kanvar thinks you’re special?’ Elizabeth said. ‘You think that’s why you can use the power?’

The thought had crossed Jack’s mind. He’d quickly dismissed it, but it was still hovering at the back of his head. He had a special ability. An ability, according to Kanvar, no one had ever had before. Couldn’t that mean he would be the one to find the Grail again? ‘I don’t think I’m anything special. You know that, Elizabeth. I’m just an old soldier with a few tricks up his sleeve. All I can do is try to use the Grail and hope for the best.’

Elizabeth’s eyes glistened. ‘It’s dangerous. What about the army? You said they’re in Staffordshire now.’

‘They’re still in the east of Staffordshire. Kanvar and I are heading to the north-west, near the Shropshire border. We’ll be safe enough.’

Elizabeth’s voice turned hard. ‘And you’ll leave the rest of us here? To face the enemy without you?’

Jack felt a flush of irritation. He’d come here to explain where he was going. He wasn’t here for an argument. Elizabeth was upset and clearly worried about him, but all the same, she was his daughter and should show him some respect. ‘I’ll be back in four days. The Welsh won’t be ready for a week, and Jhala’s forces are stuck in Ludlow. I’ll be back before any of them get here.’

He was less certain than he sounded. There was a chance Jhala’s troops could defeat the crusaders in Ludlow and advance within days. The men commanded by the Lord of the Marches could assemble sooner than expected. Jack was even worried that Henry might try something. He was taking a risk, but on balance he thought it was for the best.

Four days was all the time he needed. Just four days.

He looked around at the small gathering. ‘This is my final decision.’ His voice came out harsher than he’d meant it to. He sounded like a captain commanding his troops. He tried to soften his tone as he said, ‘It’s getting late. I leave in a few hours. I have to get ready.’

He stood quickly and brushed the rushes from his tunic. Saleem scrambled to his feet and stood beside him.

Jack glanced at Godwin and then Elizabeth, who now had a tear crawling down her cheek. Jack had upset her and argued with her, but he’d had little choice.

He couldn’t think of anything further to say, so he shoved the door open and strode out into the night, Saleem scurrying after him.

His thoughts whirled as he trudged back towards his hut.

Saleem pattered along beside him. ‘I’ll come with you.’

Jack sighed. He should have expected this. Of course Saleem would want to come.

‘Look,’ Jack spoke without turning. ‘You can’t come this time, all right?’

Saleem went silent for a second, but still kept up with Jack’s long strides. ‘Why not?’

‘Because it’s dangerous.’

‘Scotland was dangerous. London was dangerous.’

‘It’s different this time. You need to stay here to look after your mother and sisters.’

Saleem’s mother and five sisters were still living in the village. A hut had been built specially for them a few months ago.

‘My family?’ Saleem said. ‘Why would I need to look after them? You said the enemy won’t be here until you get back.’

‘I know what I said, but I also know I could be wrong.’ Jack stopped suddenly and turned. ‘You can’t follow me everywhere. This is a desperate measure. It might not work. I might not make it back. I have to know there’s someone I can rely on back here – and you’re one of the few people I can rely on now.’ The words tumbled out of his mouth, but as he was saying them he realised he meant it.

This wasn’t just an excuse to get Saleem to stay. The lad was hardly a lad any more. He was twenty years old and had proved himself in a tight spot several times before. With Saleem here and Mark in charge of the acolytes, Jack could leave with a relatively clear conscience. He wouldn’t have abandoned the village … or Elizabeth.

Saleem gave his usual shy smile and gazed at the ground. Then he frowned slightly, stuck out his chest and lifted his chin to meet Jack’s gaze. ‘You mean that, Master Casey?’

‘Aye. I do.’

Saleem breathed in sharply. ‘Then I’ll stay.’

It was ten o’clock by the time Jack and Kanvar were ready to leave. They stood beside their horses near the edge of the village. In the darkness, Jack’s pure-black mare was almost invisible, but Kanvar’s white charger shimmered in the moonlight.

Only Saleem had come to say farewell. Jack wasn’t expecting to see the rest of the village – he hadn’t told anyone he was leaving as he didn’t want to cause any more alarm than he had to. But he had expected to see Elizabeth and Godwin at least. Clearly Elizabeth was still upset with him.

But he and Kanvar couldn’t wait any longer. They had to go.

Jack was about to mount his horse when he heard footsteps. Elizabeth and Godwin slid out of the darkness, Elizabeth cradling Cecily in her arms.

Jack felt his throat tighten. Elizabeth had come, but her face was grim and her mouth was held firmly shut. It didn’t look as though she’d forgiven him yet.

He didn’t want to part like this. Not now, when enemies were pressing in from all sides.

He fought back a rising tide of emotion. He had to stay strong now. Had to look as though he were sure he was doing the right thing.

He strode across to Saleem, patted the lad on the shoulder and said, ‘You take care of everyone here in the village, all right?’

Saleem nodded, looked down and smiled slightly. Jack could tell, even in the dark, that the lad’s cheeks were reddening.

Jack then moved on to Godwin, who stood with his chest puffed out, his chin raised and his oversized longsword attached to his belt.

Jack shook Godwin’s hand. ‘You’re reeve while I’m away.’

‘Yes, sir.’ Godwin sniffed and drew himself up taller. ‘I won’t let you down.’

Finally, Jack turned to Elizabeth. Her features had softened now and there was a tear in the corner of one of her eyes.

‘Elizabeth,’ Jack said, his voice breaking.

‘Father. Don’t you remember the stories about Galahad and Oswin? They were both taken up to heaven when they touched the Grail.’

‘I remember, but—’

‘What if the Grail kills you?’

He gripped her shoulder. ‘I’m not going to die. You still have Mother’s necklace?’

Elizabeth handed Cecily over to Godwin and drew the necklace out from under her dress. The metal was dark with age, but it still glinted as it caught the moonlight.

‘Good,’ he said. ‘Mother will protect you and Cecily, I’m sure.’

He turned to where his two army-issue muskets were leaning against a tree. He grasped one and handed it to Elizabeth.

She frowned. ‘But you always said no.’

Elizabeth had, for many months, been trying to get Jack to teach her how to use a musket. So far, he’d refused. It was normal for a woman to learn to use a bow and arrow so that she could hunt. But a musket was a weapon of war. He’d been against her learning how to use one.

Until now. He was leaving, and he wanted her to be able to protect herself in any way she could.

‘Take it,’ he said. ‘I know what I said before, but I was wrong. Saleem will teach you how to use it. Start practising.’

She nodded seriously, grasped the musket and gazed at the gleaming barrel.

Jack stepped away from her. He felt as though he were dying. He had to leave now or he never would.

‘Right, then.’ He tried to speak confidently, but there was a shake in his voice. ‘I’ll be back in four days.’

He slung the second musket across his back, turned to his mare and swung himself into the saddle. Kanvar had already mounted his white charger.

Jack gave Elizabeth a final glance. Then he circled his horse round and set off down the path, Kanvar riding at his side. He looked back only once and saw the specks of his family and Saleem standing in front of the white huts.

He turned away and spurred his horse into a gallop.

‘Please God,’ he whispered under his breath. ‘I know I haven’t always been a good Christian, but keep my family safe. Protect them until I get back. That’s all I ask.’