Kamerrean Read online

  Chapter 4

  It had almost been like sitting exams all over again, you know that fear that grips you before entering the exam room? The moment Alice had spoken through the Ouija board the same fear had taken over my body, I can’t believe he is dead. My heart is heavy with sadness for my cuddly ball of comfort, as my mind buzzes with the consequences of what’s happening.

  Trying to get my bearings, my body jolts against rock as I realise the rock is some guy who is running with me slung over his shoulder, holding my legs tight against his body. What the hell! I can see the blurred outline of the house moving further away from us with each jolt. My glasses, I’ve lost my glasses, but that’s the least of my worries, who is this guy and what the hell’s going on!

  The night is still, apart from his laboured breathing, of all the predicaments to get myself in, this doesn't feel good, where is he taking me and why? I feel weak, too weak to fight him especially from this angle and he must be strong if he can pick me up and run off like that. As soon as he puts me down I’ll, what? run? fight?

  Finally he slows up and gently lays me down on a hard cold bench, I get ready to punch him in the face if he comes closer, I look at his blurred image before me, strange, I ready my fist but I don’t feel so scared now as he kneels beside me, my heart is racing to an unsteady beat. I can almost feel the same vibes from the stranger as I just make out the outline of his face, I can see his eyes, such a piercing blue, piercing through the fog towards me.

  A yellowish light glows hazily from behind him, my vision disabled I hear a screeching sound and a thud before the guy slumps forward, his face punching me in the stomach. I wish I could see what was happening as the he turns to face his attacker, there’s more noise and what sounds like punches.

  I can still feel the force of his heavy head when his face returns through the fog, he strokes the hair from my face, “don't be scared, I am here to protect you.”

  I try to lift my arm, his eyes dart to my wrist as he notices Grans band, his hand reaches forward to touch it, I want to tell him No when I notice he wears a similar band, how can that be? He holds my hand tenderly and touches my band with the tips of his fingers, as our bands connect there is a blinding flash.

  Tonight was the time of the gathering, held at the centre of the village, the large area covered with animal hide pulled taut and supported by thick wooden poles which hoisted the cover above the ground protecting the area beneath from the elements. There were a few houses of stone dotted around and a river which carried on down through the valley shielded by the jagged mountains that rose on either side.

  The gathering happened twice each year when the people would descend from their homes in the mountains and meet with their chief, there was a time when they would meet every month but the disease had slowly put a stop to this. Tonight only those fit enough to eat had feasted on venison whilst the women assisted the weak with their mixture of runny gruel.

  Finally the chief arose and spoke to his people, he was very old and stood awkwardly as he leant on his staff, the amber head of which began to emanate an orange glow across their faces.

  They sat and watched in awe as Eldeen spoke to his people, “people of the land, Jannes Ore Luisenn, our miracle is upon us, very soon we shall see if the prophecy is true. When she arrives please do not crowd her, I am aware that time is of the essence but it will take time to explain the severity of our plight. I call upon you all to be patient with her.”

  Eldeen knelt before an old man, his body laid out beneath a thick blanket, his bony torso contorted with pain, “especially you Fyest my old friend, I will do all I can to prepare her, I do not want to lose you, no-one else can play Kirds like you can, a formidable opponent.”

  The crippled old man smiled at his friend as Eldeen tapped him on the shoulder and rose to address the people again, trying hard to conceal the fact that he knew his old friend would not live to see another day.

  “Go now and prepare yourselves for our visitor, I will call another meeting when the time is right.”

  The people began to disperse, each one stopping to kiss the hand of their chief before disappearing into the night, back to the warmth of their homes.

  Eldeen helped his friend into the closest dwelling and sat with him a while.

  “It is a full moon tomorrow Eldeen, will you sit with me at the water’s edge when it is time?”

  “Anything for my closest friend” he nodded in reply.

  Eldeen walked slowly up the stone steps towards his own cottage, he knew what waited beyond the entrance, this confrontation had to be dealt with but it would make it no less painful, he hated to upset his granddaughter in this way. To his amazement she was not there, pacing the room waiting for his return, surely she had not forgiven him over their earlier argument so quickly.

  He warmed his tired old hands by the fire and sat there staring into the flames mumbling in a strange language, the flash of light from the doorway broke his thoughts and he turned to smile as his granddaughter entered the room. She stood before him, a striking figure of a woman, with long blonde curls with a streak of black on the left side, at six foot tall with angular features like her grandmother and huge brown eyes, her body is well toned - perfectly proportioned with strong muscles, she could fight any man and win, at least the fight he expected now would only be verbal.

  “You have thought about what I said?”

  “I have done nothing else grandfather.”

  “You do not wish to chastise me further for my actions?”

  “What is the point, what’s done is done.”

  “You surprise me child, it is not like you to give in so easily.”

  “WHO SAYS I HAVE GIVEN IN?”

  “Now that’s more like it, give me some fight girl.”

  “Grandfather do not push me, my anger runs deep.”

  “You should get it out of your system before Jol arrives, you do not wish to frighten her.”

  “She has never been frightened of me! Perhaps I will direct my anger at my cousin, he was all too quick to do your bidding, after all you are just a weak and frail old man.”

  “Your words cut me, Cooper I’m not as frail as you think!”

  “I know, I know but you should not push me grandfather, I find this situation difficult.”

  “Yes child I am aware of that, I have only brought forward this situation, you would have had to deal with it in a year anyway.”

  “Brought forward to save your own friend when the rest of our people have been left to suffer?”

  “You believe me to be selfish in my act, Fyest has many talents I do not wish to lose, but alas, you are wrong, he is close to death, I am not selfish, merely protecting the future…”

  “Right now, I am more concerned with what Al’ice had to say…….”

  “You should take it easy on your cousin, you know he would not refuse me, he will need your help by the sounds of it, not your anger.”

  “True, he did not look well, I wish he had time to explain further, do you think Jol has been hurt?”

  “I do not sense it child, but you must prepare to help when they arrive…”

  “There could be danger? Do you think someone, something else has become aware of the power she harnesses?”

  “Cooper, I may have incredible powers but I know no more than you do, you should go now and prepare.”

  Eldeen sat back in his chair, his eyes closed, he had lived for a very long time, only now he was tired, more tired than he had ever been.

  Although still angered at her family, Cooper recognised the weariness in her grandfather’s face and placed a rug around his shoulders, “you should rest, I am leaving now, next time you see me I shall have our precious Jol with me.”

  She pecked him on the cheek and turned to leave, at the door she turned back and said “I forgive you for now, but as for Al’ice, he’ll keep!”

  Kate realised she had been staring at him with her mouth wide open, Stanton stared back
not saying a word, at last Kate managed to speak, “What did you mean, is your friend Julianne? how do you know who I’m talking about? did you meet her earlier? where did you see her last?”

  Stanton was dumbstruck, he didn’t know where to begin when there was an anguished cry from the garden, like a strangled cat, the air around them became icy cold, he turned to the door and shut it quickly, Kate was by his side in a flash holding on to him tight, “Stanton what was that and why can I smell cherries?”

  He whispered, “I don’t suppose you know of another way to the library without us having to go back down the hall?”

  She frowned at him, “this is no time to go looking for your bloody book! what’s out there?”

  “Shush!” moving closer to her ear he whispered, “Kate, we have got to get out and fast, forget the book, the library might be our only chance.”

  Kate was confused, the library their only chance? the place was full of bloody books, what was he up to? She looked down and watched as the purplish mist like before hung below the gap under the door, her eyelids felt heavy.

  Stanton pulled her towards the kitchen through the door on the opposite wall, Kate’s mind snapped alive and she knew what to do, racing ahead of him, pulling at his hand she led him quickly through the door to the back of the kitchen and the huge laundry room out back. Stanton didn’t speak, just followed obediently as Kate seemed to know where she was going, through the glass back door they could see clearly into the night, the moon seemed to glow more brightly than ever. Kate slowly turned the key in the lock and they ventured out into the night, creeping along the side of the house she saw more of the sleeping bodies through the windows, piled all around the rooms, she hadn’t realised earlier just how many kids had been at this party, her focus had only been on Gregor, ugh! she shuddered at the thought of what had happened, she would never be able to look him in the face again.

  They were just about to round the back of the house when Stanton stopped her, they pulled back behind the wall, in front of them the lawn was awash with the mist, fanning out in all directions.

  “We could just run away?” Kate suggested to the back of his head.

  “And what good would that do, you want to save your friend don’t you?”

  “What do you mean save, what’s happened to her?”

  Kroil stood facing the back entrance to the house waiting for a response from Clarintor, it was not good, the electric pulse was so faint now and not the same, it was still new and different but not the same as before.

  He glanced to his right, had that been a noise? he listened intently, no, nothing, perhaps just an animal, he did still have his mistresses scream echoing through his ears, he would investigate once she had decided his fate. She was angry but perhaps he could save some dignity, locate the source of this new current in the air. Oh yes it was elusive, yet never before had a situation arose such as this, she was pacing up and down the hall before him, she stopped at a door, hesitated then thrust it open, sniffing at the air, muttering something incomprehensible.

  The sweet smell of cherry death filled the air as she turned back towards him, teetering in the doorway, “Kroil, I do not have to tell you how angry I am……………….this infernal country eluded me once before, do you remember?”

  Kroil nodded in agreement, yes he remembered.

  “I vowed then never to return……………tonight was different…………….such power at my fingertips……………………never the like seen before………………….I cannot understand how it can just disappear like that…………………we need to find that power before one of our brothers become aware of it………………….imagine what we could do!”

  Kroil waited silently, he knew better than interrupt when she was like this.

  “Pity about the boy…………………….I had got used to having him around……………………..YOU will stay, this new pulse is not unlike one I’ve felt before and if I’m not mistaken could be useful if we can harness it………….I shall return and study my scrolls, for an angels power has many hexes to protect it from the likes of us……………….it is no coincidence, I am sure that both powers should materialise at once………………………find this one and it will lead us to the other…………………..I will return within the hour, you had better have good news for me then!”

  Stanton slowly took his hand away from Kate’s mouth where he had placed it to silence her, they both sat against the corner of the house, the sky so black, where were the stars? It couldn’t be that cloudy, the moon had been really clear and so bright earlier.

  She felt Stanton’s whole body stiffen beside her, she was desperate to ask him questions, he seemed to know what was going on but for now it made sense to be still and as quiet as possible. Her breathing seemed so harsh and ragged she struggled to control it, placing her hand in the pocket of her skirt, Jol’s skirt, she wrapped her fingers around the stone Jol had given her, clenched in her fist she thought, ‘some bloody crap stone this is, bring me luck, huh!’

  She began to worry deeply for her friend, where was she and what had happened to her? Jol hadn’t wanted to go to the party but Kate had forced her, said she’d have fun, this was turning into the worst bloody party she had ever been to and Jol's dad would be here soon, what time was it? Kate looked on her wrist, her watch had gone, it must have fallen off, Crap! Crap! Crap! and her cell phone was in her bag, she must have left that back in the bathroom, Crap!

  Kate looked back at Stanton, the worry lines were back on his face and he was gripping her hand so tight it almost hurt, he was crouched like her, their backs against the wall but there was something odd about him, he had his eyes closed as if concentrating on something, she needed to know the time, perhaps he had a watch on? She looked down at his hand holding hers and lifted the sleeve of his jacket she could not see anything, the other arm she couldn’t see from this position, Kate nudged him on the arm, nothing, she poked him in the chest, nothing. Growing impatient she kicked at his foot, he was wearing brown loafers under those tight blue jeans definitely no fashion sense but no reaction either, she didn’t want to try it again the scuff of her shoe had made such a noise which seemed to echo across the night.

  Her arms and legs were starting to get cold and she wished she had listened to Jol when she had told her to wear jeans, Kate nudged him on the arm again, again nothing, she studied his face, what is he doing? what is he thinking? Taking a deep sigh, there was only one thing for it, she leaned in close and kissed him on the lips, Stanton opened his eyes and smiled at her with a boyish grin which belied his age.

  “Come on Kate, this is our chance, how do we get to the library from here?”

  Stanton had waited until Kroil and his mistress had left the back of the house, Kroil wandered back in the direction of the lake and he now knew from listening in on the conversation that the female demon was a force to be reckoned with and would return within the hour, there was little time to waste.

  Kate had been stunned at his re-action but took him by the hand as they ran across the back of the house, their bodies hunched over and past the gated pool, towards the opposite side of the house where a large wooden conservatory led back into the house and a separate hallway which led to the library.

  Kate had never been in the library before, she had never been interested but she knew where it was, she had a great memory, she may only have been five the last time she was in this house but had great fun playing hide and seek with all the cousins until the argument and mum dragging her off by the arm, she had been told to keep out of the library though that’s how she knew exactly how to get to it.

  They entered a room so vast that her whole house could have fitted inside, every wall from top to bottom covered in books with a large fireplace opposite the door surrounded by three plush white sofas facing a large thick polished wooden table. Wow! It was like looking at a movie set, this would have been a great place for hide and seek, probably would have wrecked the whit
e sofas though with their muddy shoes from the garden.

  She watched Stanton as he began scanning the books on the far wall, totally engrossed in the walls of knowledge, he was pretty good looking though for a geek, maybe it was the accent that did it, Stanton turned and caught her smiling at him.

  “I thought you said forget the book?” she asked.

  “I may have lied to you a little, but I’m now looking for another book, the one I had, well let’s just say I was heading on the wrong path………..”

  “Do you have the time?” Kate asked suddenly remembering her earlier frustrations.

  “Yep, it’s 11. 50”

  “Is that all? I thought it was well later than that, look Jol’s dad will be here any minute and……………..”

  “What did you say?”

  “Jol’s dad will……”

  “Who’s Jol?”

  “Julianne, my friend.”

  Stanton sank down onto one of the sofa’s, his head in his hands, Kate watched his chestnut curls bouncing around through his fingers, he looked tired and dejected as he sat back and looked at her.

  Kate didn’t know what to say next, she hesitated and his eyes followed her as she sat down beside him. At last she found the words, “just tell me what you know, we have less than ten minutes before I have to face Mr Serason.”

  The painful memories, the only pain Jez could feel. He had no idea, the extent of his injuries, his body numb from the medication. He wanted to escape the memories but they came like waves, flooding his senses.

  He hardly ever spoke to his grandfather just to say yes, no and thanks. The old man worked him hard on the farm even from the tender age of 5, but he kept him fed to a degree with a roof over his head and a warm clean bed.

  Jez's life had been tainted with death and hatred and he rebelled against the system. He hated school, hated rules and hated authority. He was his own free spirit but spent most of his youth in trouble and grandfather didn't even care, as long as the chores around the farm were done.

  His grandfather had flung a small cloth bag at him the night his mum had left him forever, the night she swam with dolphins. A glimmer of human decency ever to grace the old man’s conscience. ‘She wanted you to have that, I've burnt everything else so don’t go mithering me and get to sleep boy we've the cows to milk in the morn.’

  The bag had contained a small old leather bound book weather worn and beaten but the pages were intact except for the edges. Each page contained a short verse of words that had made no sense, as if written in a different language. Jez treasured this and over the years had studied the words carefully. He never discovered what language they belonged to. The bag also contained a black leather wrist band with green stones in the centre and raised silver studs around the edge, pretty cool!

  A shadow washed over his eyelids, a shadow of the girls face, the girl with the wrist band similar to his.