Spirit of the Fallen, page 6
part #1 of White Haven Hunters Series
“Why?”
“Why don’t I wait and tell you all together? What time are we meeting your hunters?”
“They’ll be here at any moment. In fact,” he looked around, hearing the door swing open and voices behind him, “I think they’re here.”
Shadow was standing next to Gabe, and another man that Harlan hadn’t met before. He looked like a marauding Viking, and they both stood to greet them. Shadow smiled, and her eyes darted to Chadwick, before resting on Harlan. “Harlan, fancy meeting you so soon!”
“Aren’t I lucky?” he said, amused. “This is William Chadwick, our client. Chadwick, this is Shadow, Gabe, and—”
“Niel,” the large blond man supplied, shaking his hand and then Chadwick’s.
“Three of you?” Chadwick said, sitting again after greeting them. “I’m not sure you’ll all be needed.”
“Oh, trust me, we will,” Gabe said, smiling charmingly while flashing his perfect teeth. “Seeing as we’ve been told very little, I like to be prepared.”
Harlan looked at him, impressed. “Me, too. Chadwick has been worried about security, but is obviously ready to tell us now.”
Chadwick glanced down at his glass, and then back to them as they settled themselves at the table. “I believe I have found the burial place of a Druid and bard called Kian. He should have his ritual objects buried with him, and I want them.”
“Have they any particular significance?” Harlan asked.
“Not really, but the fact that they have been masked with some sort of magic may suggest otherwise.”
Harlan started to get an uneasy feeling. “Is it something that could cause danger?”
“I thought you liked danger, Harlan?”
“I don’t mind it, but as I said, I like to be prepared.”
“And seeing as I’m the one who’ll be breaking through the magic, I’d really like to know more now,” Shadow said, a dangerous edge to her voice.
Chadwick sipped his drink, unperturbed. “Well, as I said, he’s a Druid, and therefore whatever went with him to his grave would have been his personal objects. A window into his world.”
“Surely most things would have rotted away by now?” Niel asked, sipping the pint he’d brought with him to the table.
“Perhaps, but I have to see anyway.”
“There must be something of value?” Gabe asked, leaning forward and watching Chadwick.
Chadwick just looked at him. “It is all of value. A powerful Druid who wielded old magic and served the old Gods. That must be what protects his grave, even now.”
Harlan hated it when his clients became fervid about the old Gods. It almost always caused trouble. Like the Callanish Ring did. Which reminded him... “Shadow, Chadwick is the man who brought the Empusa’s sword.”
Shadow turned to him, frowning. “Oh! And what are you doing with it now?”
“Nothing. It is displayed on my wall. Harlan hasn’t exactly said how you came to own it, but I’m very grateful you did. “
“I had help,” Shadow said, cagily. “Let’s hope tonight is not so tricky.”
Niel nudged her. “It’s just some grave robbing, Shadow.”
“And what skills do you two bring tonight?” Chadwick asked, looking at Gabe and Niel.
“Just security,” Gabe said nonchalantly. “Hanging about in woods at night could have consequences. What else can you tell us about this Druid?”
Chadwick spread his hands wide. “Nothing. He was the Druid for a powerful tribe, and travelled between here and Breton, and well, did what Druids do! Protected his tribe, pacified the Gods, lead his people. But they were revered for their knowledge. Surely you know that?”
“But why him?” Gabe insisted.
“Not many names make it through history. Many are lost in time. His name is found in documents written much later, and his deeds were impressive. But he was overshadowed by one of his contemporaries—or near contemporaries, at least—Merlin.”
“Merlin!” Harlan exclaimed.
“But no one’s heard of Kian, which is good for me,” Chadwick said brightly.
Gabe pushed his chair back. “Fine. In that case, we’ll meet you there at midnight, at Belas Knap. I trust you’ll be wearing something more suitable?”
“Of course,” Chadwick said, looking slightly affronted.
“Good. Wouldn’t want you to damage your nice suit,” Gabe said softly, and he nodded at Harlan and turned away.
“Until tonight then,” Shadow said, all smiles as she and Niel followed Gabe out of the room.
Harlan watched them leave and then looked back at Chadwick. “Well, that was short and sweet.”
If Chadwick was perturbed, he didn’t show it. “Excellent. To tonight.” And he raised his glass, downed his drink, and ordered another.
***
Shadow stood on top of Belas Knap again and gazed out across the dark fields, enjoying the cool night air on her skin. There was a pale crescent moon rising, and it gave off a faint light that silvered the fields.
She could see well in the dark—better than most humans, she’d realised—but maybe not as well as Gabe and Niel, who seemed as comfortable at night as in the day. Gabe stood silently next to her, but Niel stood below them, next to the path, while they waited for Harlan to arrive.
They’d come back early, and once again had walked around the ancient site and the edge of the woods, making sure no one was around.
“This place has more power at night,” Gabe observed, stirring out of his silence.
She nodded. “I know. I feel the weight of its years. Can you hear the dead?”
“Faintly. Remember to keep your powers as secret as you can, Shadow. Be careful tonight. I’m not sure I trust Chadwick.”
“I’m not sure I do either, but it’s unlikely he’ll put us in danger. He wants his Druid objects very badly.”
Earlier that evening, when they had returned to the cottage they’d rented for the night, they had tried to find out more about the Druid Kian, but had failed miserably. They would need to do proper research to find out anything significant, and even then Shadow suspected they would need more unusual resources than they had access to at the moment.
Gabe pointed to the path where dark shapes were coming into view. “They’re here. Good. I want to get this done.”
Harlan was in his sturdy leather boots, jeans, and a jacket, but Chadwick was in hiking clothes and he didn’t waste time on pleasantries. He nodded at them and simply said, “I’ll lead.”
He brought them over the break in the dry stone wall and into the foliage, leading them unerringly to the burial site. It was dark under the trees, and Chadwick’s torch flashed along the ground. Shadow was behind him, and the rest followed closely, Gabe at the rear. When they reached the covered cairn of stones against the slope, Gabe stepped into the enclosed area with them, but said to Niel, “Just patrol around the edges.”
Niel gave a short jerk of his head, and then disappeared silently into the trees.
“How do you want to play this?” Harlan asked Chadwick, who was already pulling on sturdy leather gloves.
“Help me clear this,” Chadwick grunted as he started work. “And someone keep the torch on it.”
Gabe pulled gloves out of his pocket and started to move the rocks, while Shadow stood next to Harlan, who kept his torch trained on the spot, and watched. Within a few minutes they had cleared the ivy and pulled the stones away, revealing a small hole in the side of the bank. Chadwick stopped and pulled his own torch out, shining it inside.
Shadow shuddered, feeling a strange, unrecognisable power drift out of the opening and swirl around them. Interesting. This was a type of fey magic, but it felt darker somehow. Only Gabe caught her movement, as Chadwick was too busy peering into the opening.
He looked at her, concerned. “Are you okay?”
“It feels odd. Do you sense it?”
“I’m afraid not.”
Harlan looked between them, worried. “What is it?”
“I’m doing what you hired me to do,” Shadow told him. “I can feel a strange sort of power, stronger now that the tomb is open.”
Chadwick looked around, and she could see the gleam of excitement in his eyes. “You feel it? Good. Beyond this opening is a short passageway, but you’ll have to crouch. At the end is a square, stone-walled tomb, but I feel I’m not seeing everything properly.”
They seemed to be making a lot of noise, but around them was silence, and Shadow was glad that Niel was out there, somewhere. Chadwick turned back to the entrance and continued to clear the stones, and with Gabe’s help they moved quickly until the entire entrance was revealed.
Chadwick stepped back, inviting her forward, and Shadow stared down the passage. Chadwick’s torchlight showed nothing but an earth floor and rock walls that were crumbling in places. Tree roots had thrust through the walls, and debris and stones were scattered across the ground. She glanced up at Gabe’s worried face, and placed her hand on the knives sheathed against her thigh.
Chadwick cleared his throat behind her. “I’ll go first.”
“No, you won’t,” she said, turning quickly and throwing a hand out to stop him. “It’s too small, and you’ll get in my way.”
“No, I have to see,” he said, his voice rising with annoyance.
“And you will, when I’ve finished.”
Gabe put in, “It’s going to be a tight squeeze if I come, too.”
“No one is coming, including you,” Shadow said to Harlan as he looked as if he might protest. If she had to do anything odd, she certainly didn’t want Harlan or Chadwick seeing it. She turned back to Gabe. “If there’s room further down I’ll call for you, but only you!” She shot a warning glance at Chadwick to emphasise her point.
Shadow pulled her knife out and edged down the low passageway, ducking her head and stooping. In her left hand she held her torch, knowing it would look too odd to Chadwick not to use it. The passageway led downwards and then turned left, and she picked her way slowly, careful not to trip and twist her ankle. It was musty, the strong earthy smell of decay almost overpowering. Dust rose around her, and she lifted her jacket across her mouth. She felt as if the roof might collapse at any moment, and it was with relief when the passage opened into a small square room as Chadwick had said.
A low rock shelf ran around the edge, with small pottery objects on it, and a stone coffin lay on the left. The top had been pushed open and bones were inside it. For a moment, Shadow wondered why Chadwick would think there was more to this tomb, but she turned her torch off and let her eyes adjust to the dark. The prickle of power was stronger here, and it seemed to be coming from the back wall. Chadwick was a ritual magician, which was probably why he could feel it, too.
Gabe called from behind, his voice low. “Shadow, are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Come on through.” There was enough room for both of them, just about. Damn tombs. They were damp and cold, and she remembered why she’d stopped doing this kind of thing in the Otherworld.
She heard a short, sharp whistle, and then within seconds Gabe was next to her, his shoulders covered in dust, still ducking due to the low ceiling. “Sorry, I called Niel to guard the entrance. I didn’t entirely trust Chadwick not to follow us. What have you found?”
“This wall at the back is either enhanced or constructed with fey magic.” She placed her hand on the cold stone, pushing her energy out of her fingers and into the rock. “It’s odd. The power that’s protecting whatever’s beyond here is strong. But who did this?”
Gabe stood next to her and felt the wall, too. “Maybe it’s like you said before. Years ago, the boundaries between worlds were weaker. Perhaps your magic was shared.”
She handed her blade to Gabe. “Let me try something.” She placed her hands on the wall again, closed her eyes, and concentrated on the feeling beneath her fingers. It felt as if her hands were sinking into the rock, and she pushed harder.
“It’s working!” Gabe cried. “It looks as if it’s shimmering!”
Shadow hadn’t had the occasion to use her power like this before, and she started to feel drained. Within seconds, the wall snapped back into place, solid and unyielding. She sighed and stepped back. “I’m going to try something else.”
She pulled her sword out of its scabbard, and directed her fey energy down through the dragonium blade, forged from some of the most powerful creatures to exist in her world—dragons. When the blade was humming with magic, she pushed it into a seam in the rock, satisfied when cracks started spreading across the surface. She focused even harder, aware of Gabe watching intently. “Nearly there,” she said, now certain it was an illusion.
Within another few minutes, the wall vanished with a crack, revealing another passageway behind it.
“Yes!” she exclaimed.
Gabe grinned. “The passage is heading towards Belas Knap.”
“Is it?”
“Yes. Can’t you tell? Maybe his tomb is beneath the others. Come on.”
This passage was bigger than the others. Again, the floor was of beaten earth, but the walls were made of layered stonework, and although some of the stones had dislodged, it was generally in a good state, allowing Gabe to set a quick pace. The path ran undisturbed in almost one straight line, deviating only slightly in a few places. Along the wall were recessed shelves where objects were placed: animal bones, bird skulls, unusually shaped stones, and other decayed items. Finally, they paused on the threshold of the hidden tomb.
“As I thought,” he said softly. “I think we’re pretty much dead centre of Belas Knap. This place must have had great significance at one point.”
The tomb was circular in design, again made of layers of thick stone, rising to a shallow domed roof in the centre. In the middle of the space was a long, rectangular stone, like an altar, and on it was a human skeleton, grave goods arranged around it.
“Are you okay in there?” Harlan called, his voice faint.
“Yes, give us a few more moments,” Shadow shouted back, and then said to Gabe, “Let’s see what’s so precious about this place first.”
The roof of the tomb was higher than the passage, allowing them to stand upright. Various objects were also on shelves in here, such as goblets, plates, dried things that may have been food, animal skins, and a carved walking stick that was almost as tall as Shadow. What looked like a leather bag lay upon the tomb itself.
“It all looks harmless enough, although this—” she said, pointing to the wooden staff, “has a hum of power about it.” She looked at it closely, seeing carvings along its length.
“A walking stick?” Gabe said, confused.
“It reminds me of staffs the shamans in our world carry.”
“What about the jewellery? Any magic there?” He pointed to the rings and thick bracelets on another shelf.
“Faint only.” She looked around, peering into the gloom. “I can’t see anything suspicious, can you?”
Gabe shook his head. “No, nothing. I’ll call Chadwick.”
He headed to the end of the passage, leaving Shadow standing alone, and she flashed her torch around the tomb again. She noticed a small, polished flat stone sitting within the jawbone of the skull, and she picked it up, observing strange markings on it. Why was a stone placed in the jaw? But before she could consider it further, she saw a black shape manifest out of the bones, and she blinked, thinking her eyes were playing tricks.
Shadow backed away and kept her torch trained onto the area, holding the stone awkwardly. She held her sword in her other hand, ready to defend herself, although she wondered how a blade would help fight a ghost, or whatever that was. A wave of power rolled around her, and she stepped back again.
For endless seconds nothing seemed to happen, and she realised she was holding her breath. And then Gabe was next to her, Harlan and Chadwick behind him.
“What’s up, Shadow?” Gabe asked, looking concerned at her raised sword. “Have you seen something?”
As soon as he spoke, the black shape manifested again and smacked Shadow in the chest, throwing her back against the wall behind her. The torch and stone clattered to the floor. In seconds she was back on her feet and she slashed forward, missing Gabe by inches as the mysterious entity retreated.
Harlan and Chadwick were still in the entrance, their torches flashing around the space, and Harlan yelled, “What the hell is happening?”
Then it launched again at Shadow and Gabe, who was still standing next to her. This time, the two of them collided with each other against a far wall, and another wave of power rolled around the tomb.
“Is that a ghost?” Chadwick shouted, sounding both alarmed and excited. “It must be Kian! The Druid!”
“Why in Herne’s balls is it attacking us?” Shadow said, outraged.
“I think it has a lot of pent-up energy,” Gabe suggested, pacing around the perimeter as he watched the black shape in the middle of the room.
“Yeah, well, so do I,” Shadow replied. Determined not be defeated by a dead Druid, she pulled her fey magic towards her, and then sent it out like a punch, straight at the bulk of Kian’s shade.
Within seconds the spirit disappeared, leaving all four of them looking around wildly. Harlan and Chadwick wouldn’t have seen her magic, but they might have felt it. Hopefully, in the semidarkness they wouldn’t notice.
“Where did it go?” Harlan asked, spinning around.
Chadwick trained his torch down the passage behind them. “Maybe it fled for the entrance?”
“In that case,” Gabe said, “it’s gone, and there’s not much we can do about it.”
“What about Niel?” Harlan asked. “For a ghost, it sure contained a lot of energy.”
“Niel will be fine,” Gabe reasoned, but even so, he looked worried. “Maybe you should do what you need to, Chadwick, so we can get out of here.”
Harlan agreed. “Yeah. I’d rather be outside if that thing comes back.”
