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10
build/index.html
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<li><a href='spellbinder/OEBPS/contents.xhtml'>Spellbinder contents</a></li>
<li><a href='spellbinder/OEBPS/preview.xhtml'>Next Preview</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Spellbinder</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href='shadowmaster/OEBPS/title.xhtml'>Title</a></li>
<li><a href='shadowmaster/OEBPS/bio.xhtml'>Bio</a></li>
<li><a href='shadowmaster/OEBPS/blurb.xhtml'>Blurb</a></li>
<li><a href='shadowmaster/OEBPS/other.xhtml'>Other books</a></li>
<li><a href='shadowmaster/OEBPS/contents.xhtml'>Spellbinder contents</a></li>
<li><a href='shadowmaster/OEBPS/preview.xhtml'>Next Preview</a></li>
</ul>
</body>
</html>

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<!doctype html>
<html>
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<title>Books</title>
</head>
<body>
<h3>Books</h3>
<h3>Dark Valley</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href='darkvalley/OEBPS/title.xhtml'>Title</a></li>
<li><a href='darkvalley/OEBPS/bio.xhtml'>Bio</a></li>
<li><a href='darkvalley/OEBPS/blurb.xhtml'>Blurb</a></li>
<li><a href='darkvalley/OEBPS/other.xhtml'>Other books</a></li>
<li><a href='darkvalley/OEBPS/contents.xhtml'>Book Contents</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Full Proof</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href='Full%20Proof/OEBPS/title.xhtml'>Title</a></li>
<li><a href='Full%20Proof/OEBPS/bio.xhtml'>Bio</a></li>
<li><a href='Full%20Proof/OEBPS/blurb.xhtml'>Blurb</a></li>
<li><a href='Full%20Proof/OEBPS/other.xhtml'>Other books</a></li>
<li><a href='Full%20Proof/OEBPS/contents.xhtml'>Full Proof Contents</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Incubus</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href='incubus/OEBPS/Incubus-title.xhtml'>Title</a></li>
<li><a href='incubus/OEBPS/bio.xhtml'>Bio</a></li>
<li><a href='incubus/OEBPS/blurb.xhtml'>Blurb</a></li>
<li><a href='incubus/OEBPS/other.xhtml'>Other books</a></li>
<li><a href='incubus/OEBPS/Incubus-contents.xhtml'>Incubus Contents</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Shrike</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href='shrike/OEBPS/Shrike-title.xhtml'>Title</a></li>
<li><a href='shrike/OEBPS/bio.xhtml'>Bio</a></li>
<li><a href='shrike/OEBPS/blurb.xhtml'>Blurb</a></li>
<li><a href='shrike/OEBPS/other.xhtml'>Other</a></li>
<li><a href='shrike/OEBPS/Shrike-contents.xhtml'>Shrike contents</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Bane</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href='bane/OEBPS/title.xhtml'>Title</a></li>
<li><a href='bane/OEBPS/bio.xhtml'>Bio</a></li>
<li><a href='bane/OEBPS/blurb.xhtml'>Blurb</a></li>
<li><a href='bane/OEBPS/other.xhtml'>Other</a></li>
<li><a href='bane/OEBPS/contents.xhtml'>Bane contents</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Mythlands</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href='mythlands/OEBPS/title.xhtml'>Title</a></li>
<li><a href='mythlands/OEBPS/bio.xhtml'>Bio</a></li>
<li><a href='mythlands/OEBPS/blurb.xhtml'>Blurb</a></li>
<li><a href='mythlands/OEBPS/other.xhtml'>Other books</a></li>
<li><a href='mythlands/OEBPS/contents.xhtml'>Mythlands contents</a></li>
<li><a href='mythlands/OEBPS/preview.xhtml'>Next Preview</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Spellbinder</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href='spellbinder/OEBPS/title.xhtml'>Title</a></li>
<li><a href='spellbinder/OEBPS/bio.xhtml'>Bio</a></li>
<li><a href='spellbinder/OEBPS/blurb.xhtml'>Blurb</a></li>
<li><a href='spellbinder/OEBPS/other.xhtml'>Other books</a></li>
<li><a href='spellbinder/OEBPS/contents.xhtml'>Spellbinder contents</a></li>
<li><a href='spellbinder/OEBPS/preview.xhtml'>Next Preview</a></li>
</ul>
</body>
</html>

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build/mythlands/OEBPS/bio.xhtml
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<body>
<div id="text">
<div class="section" id="xhtmldocuments">
<h3>About the author</h3>
<h1>About the author</h1>
<p>Joe Donnelly was born in Glasgow, in Scotland, close to the
River Clyde, but at a very young age he came to live in Dumbarton,

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build/mythlands/OEBPS/blurb.xhtml
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<body>
<div id="text">
<div class="section" id="xhtmldocuments">
<h3>Mythlands</h3>
<h1>Mythlands</h1>
<p>Part 1 of the <em>Book of Ways</em> mythic trilogy.</p>

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build/mythlands/OEBPS/ch07.xhtml
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@ -597,9 +597,7 @@
dark and brooding as Kerry steered the raft with the pole, scanning the water all the time in case any of the things that could drag a wolf under the water
reappeared.
</p>
<p>
_____
</p>
<p class='break'>* * *</p>
<p>
The roaks came from the towering cloud, black wings spread wide to vector down from a glowering sky. They heard them first, a raucous croaking that rasped
on the ears. Kerry pointed upwards.

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build/mythlands/OEBPS/other.xhtml
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@ -18,14 +18,17 @@
<div class="section" id="xhtmldocuments">
<p>Other books by the author available on</p>
<img class='i' src='ak.jpg' alt='Amazon Kindle'/>
<p><a href="http://j.mp/im_bane">Bane</a></p>
<p><a href="http://j.mp/RgVy9h">Full Proof</a></p>
<p><a href="http://j.mp/im_fullproof">Full Proof</a></p>
<p><a href='http://j.mp/TjevrC'>Shrike</a></p>
<p><a href='http://j.mp/im_shrike'>Shrike</a></p>
<p><a href='http://j.mp/lTrdOF'>Incubus</a></p>
<p><a href='http://j.mp/im_incubus'>Incubus</a></p>
<p><a href='http://j.mp/darkvalley'>Dark Valley</a></p>
<p><a href='http://j.mp/im_darkvalley'>Dark Valley</a></p>
<p><a href="http://j.mp/im_havock">Havock Junction</a></p>
<p>All available now on the Amazon Kindle</p>
</div>

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build/mythlands/OEBPS/other.xhtml.bak Normal file
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<img class='i' src='ak.jpg' alt='Amazon Kindle'/>
<p><a href="http://j.mp/RgVy9h">Full Proof</a></p>
<p><a href='http://j.mp/TjevrC'>Shrike</a></p>
<p><a href='http://j.mp/lTrdOF'>Incubus</a></p>
<p><a href='http://j.mp/darkvalley'>Dark Valley</a></p>
<p>All available now on the Amazon Kindle</p>
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</div>
</body>
</html>

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build/mythlands/OEBPS/title.xhtml
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@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
<div id="heading" class="centered">
<div id="title">
<h1>MYTHLANDS</h1>
<h2>MYTHLANDS</h2>
</div>
<div id="author">
<h4>Joe Donnelly</h4>

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build/mythlands/OEBPS/toc.ncx
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@ -4,14 +4,14 @@
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<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<head>
<title>About the author</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="imperaWeb.css"/>
<link rel="stylesheet" type=
"application/vnd.adobe-page-template+xml" href=
"page-template.xpgt"/>
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<body>
<div id="text">
<div class="section" id="xhtmldocuments">
<h1>About the author</h1>
<p>Joe Donnelly was born in Glasgow, in Scotland, close to the
River Clyde, but at a very young age he came to live in Dumbarton,
which is some miles from the city and close to Loch Lomond, Ben
Lomond and the Scottish Highlands.</p>
<p>At the age of 18, he decided to become a journalist and found a
job in the Helensburgh Advertiser, a local paper in a neighbouring
town where he learned the first essential of writing: how to type.
Quickly.</p>
<p>A few years later, at the age of 22, he became editor of his
local newspaper, the Lennox Herald in Dumbarton, before moving to
the Evening Times and then the Sunday mail in Glasgow where he
became an investigative journalist.</p>
<p>During his career he won several awards for newspaper work
including Reporter of the Year, Campaigning Journalist and Consumer
Journalist.</p>
<p>It was while working in newspapers that he wrote his first
novel, <em>Bane</em>, an adult chiller, which was followed by eight
other novels, mostly set in and around the West of Scotland and
loosely based on Celtic Mythology.</p>
<p>This was followed by <em>Stone</em>, <em>The Shee</em>,
<em>Shrike</em>, <em>Still Life</em>, <em>Havock Junction</em>,
<em>Incubus</em> and <em>Dark Valley</em>.</p>
<p>Recently he decided to write for children, although he says his
books are aimed at "young people of all ages, those with some
adventure in their soul."</p>
<p>The <em>Book of Ways</em> trilogy is his first venture at telling
stories for the young at heart.</p>
<p>Joe is now working on two novels: A chiller for adults, and
another rollicking adventure for young people, based on Nordic
mythology.</p>
</div>
</div>
</body>
</html>

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<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<head>
<meta name="generator" content=
"HTML Tidy for Windows (vers 14 February 2006), see www.w3.org"/>
<title>Mythlands</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="imperaWeb.css"/>
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"application/vnd.adobe-page-template+xml" href=
"page-template.xpgt"/>
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<div id="text">
<div class="section" id="xhtmldocuments">
<h1>Mythlands</h1>
<p>Part 1 of the <em>Book of Ways</em> mythic trilogy.</p>
<p>They are running for their lives, from a hideous dark menace. But when Jack Flint and his friend Kerry Malone
run through a ring of ancient standing stones, something happens that will change their lives.</p>
<p>They find they have been catapulted into the ancient Celtic mythical land of Temair. And to find their way
back home, they must face the terrible dangers in this world, dangers that will threaten their lives as an
ambitious chief attempts to raise the deadly demon Morrigan to conquer Temair.</p>
<p>But there is good in this world too. The mysterious bards, the strange forest leprechauns, and a new friend,
Corriwen Redthorn, orphan daughter of a dead lord who is prepared to fight to the death for her
birthright.</p>
<p>Together, they will face all the dangers in a world of myth, magic and mayhem. </p>
</div>
</div>
</body>
</html>

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<head>
<title>The Shadowmaster - Prologue </title>
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"application/vnd.adobe-page-template+xml" href=
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<h1>Prologue</h1>
<p>
<em>What has gone before&#8230;</em>
</p>
<p>
<em>It was time to make a hard decision. Jack Flint knew that.</em>
</p>
<p>
<em>
Since the day he and Kerry Malone stumbled through the ring of standing stones in Cromwath Blackwood they had faced real danger time and time again.
</em>
</p>
<p>
<em>
When they stepped between the ancient stones, they found themselves on a bloodied battlefield in the legendary world of Temair. There, they had
befriended chieftain's daughter, Corriwen Redthorn, and fought their way across the country, harried by Scree ogres and by the mad Mandrake's henchmen,
and guided by the ancient Book of Ways.
</em>
</p>
<p>
<em>
It was in Temair that Jack first found clues to the identity of the father he had never met. He gradually realised that his father had been a traveller
between the worlds, a hero who fought on the side of good. A
</em>
Journeyman.
</p>
<p>
<em>Then Jack, Kerry and Corriwen had faced the devastating power behind Mandrake's reign of evil: The supernatural entity known as the Morrigan. </em>
</p>
<p>
<em>
In the final confrontation they had barely escaped with their lives, but in the battle with the Morrigan, Corriwen was thrown through the mystical gate
and vanished into another world. Jack and Kerry set of to rescue her, and found themselves in Eirinn, a world Jack only knew from myths he had read in
old books.
</em>
</p>
<p>
<em>
And Eirinn was no less perilous than Temair. Dermott the Wolf and his dark spellbinder Fainn hunted them from one side of the land to the other in
pursuit of the Harp of Tara.
</em>
</p>
<p>
<em>
It was not until they met Hedda the Scatha, the ferocious warrior woman, that Jack, Kerry and Corriwen and Connor, the rightful King of Eirinn, decided
to stop running and fight back. Hedda had befriended Jack's father, the Journeyman Hero whose task was to protect the mythic worlds. She gave Jack a
new-forged sword, identical to the one his father had wielded and Jack decided that his own quest would be to find him, no matter what dangers he might
have to face.
</em>
</p>
<p>
<em>
With the help of friends they had made in the fight against Dermott and Fainn, they faced their enemies near the magical Tara Hill where the harp's
song summoned the Sky Queen, the ancient goddess of peace and harmony.
</em>
</p>
<p>
<em>
On Tara Hill Jack was given yet another clue about his long lost father, the first bearer of the mysterious heartstone which Jack now wore at his
neck..
</em>
</p>
<p>
<em>Now, back in the ring of standing stones, his mind was up. It was no easy decision for a boy.</em>
</p>
<p>
<em>But whatever the cost, Jack would venture once through the mythic gates&#8230;and this time he would travel alone.</em>
</p>
</div>
</div>
</body>
</html>

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<head>
<title>The Shadowmaster - Chapter 1</title>
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<div id="text">
<div class="section" id="xhtmldocuments">
<h1>1</h1>
<p>
Jack swallowed a dry lump in his throat as he turned away from his friends towards the gate between the old
stones.
</p>
<p>
It was his decision to go, and to go alone.
</p>
<p>
"You don't have to," Kerry protested.
</p>
<p>
"I do. And Corriwen has to get home again. To her own world."
</p>
<p>
They were in the ring of stones in Cromwath Blackwood. The heartstone lay on the carved rock, nestled in the
niche that had been cut so long ago nobody
could remember. Jack knew how to do it now; how to open those gates. They would only stay open for a few
minutes more.
</p>
<p>
"It's that way," he said, pointing to the southernmost opening.
</p>
<p>
The words of the Sky Queen came back to him. <em>Find the door into summer.</em>
</p>
<p>
That was his first step. And then after that, wherever he found himself, <em>whenever </em>he found himself,
he had to find yet another gateway.
</p>
<p>
He turned the heartstone in the niche.
</p>
<p>
Moonlight shone behind him. Twilight before him. On his left he could see the rock in Temair where Mandrake
had met his gruesome end. The man-shape could
still be made out, covered now with lichen and moss. To Jack's right, was brilliant sunlight and the smell
of roses and wild honey sweet on the air.
</p>
<p>
<em>The door into summer</em>
.
</p>
<p>
There was no time to waste. He snatched up the heartstone and looped the chain around his neck. Faint lights
sparkled and danced in each doorway. Time was
running fast.
</p>
<p>
He hugged Kerry and Corriwen tight, blinking back tears, then without a word he turned .
</p>
<p>
Faint lights sparkled and danced in each doorway. Time was running fast. Without a word he stepped into the
unknown.
</p>
<p>
In an instant he was gone, as if he had never been. Between the stones colours spangled and shifted and an
eerie sound whistled, like high swifts in cold
air.
</p>
<p>
Kerry stood with his arm around Corriwen.
</p>
<p>
"I don't want to go home," he wailed. "There's nothing for me there. Oh <em>freak!</em> This isn't fair."
</p>
<p>
"But he wants to do it alone," Corriwen replied.
</p>
<p>
"No he doesn't. He just thinks it would be dangerous."
</p>
<p>
"We've faced danger before. The three of us together."
</p>
<p>
"That's right. So we have! We can't let that eejit do it by himself, can we?"
</p>
<p>
Jack's closest friends clasped hands, looked in each other's eyes.
</p>
<p>
And then they were running fast towards the door into summer.
</p>
<hr/>
<p>
Blinding flashes seared Jack's eyes and he experienced that familiar sensation of being turned completely
inside out, with every nerve pulled like
spiderwebs, every cell split and scattered in a void. Colours raced past him as if he was falling down a
well that went on forever. Cold shuddered through
him like spears of ice.
</p>
<p>
Then there was a twisting sensation and he was on his knees, hauling for breath and gagging against the
nausea that bubbled up from deep inside.
</p>
<p>
It took him a moment to realise he was kneeling in the sunshine and the air was warm and clean.
</p>
<p>
<em>The door into summer.</em>
</p>
<p>
Behind him, the standing stones stood out against a deep blue sky, each smooth and polished, carved with
strange figures and stranger script, but Jack knew
each figure and each word was part of the power that let the gates open and close. Between them, the air
twisted and warped, spangling with strange
luminescence. Beyond the stones, grass swayed in the light breeze. Somewhere high above, a lark soared.
</p>
<p>
Still gripping the long sword tight, the gift from Hedda the warrior woman, Jack raised himself to his feet
and looked around. Pollen scented the air. In
the distance, rolling hills faded in summer haze. A perfect day in any world.
</p>
<p>
Yet Jack Flint thought he had never felt so completely alone in his life.
</p>
<p>
He let out a slow breath.
</p>
<p>
"Well," he said to himself. "That's it now. I'm here."
</p>
<p>
Wherever <em>here</em> was.
</p>
<p>
He took a tentative step forward, then another, until he reached a stream. There, he knelt down, cupped a
hand and took a sip. The water was cold and
refreshing. He dabbed at his eyes, wiping away tears that had come unbidden and refused to be blinked back.
</p>
<p>
Ahead of him, somewhere in this world, was something that would lead him to his goal. It was here, he now
believed, that he would find the route to his
past. The route to the father he had never known.
</p>
<p>
This was not Corriwen's quest, nor Kerry's. Though Corriwen's only brother lay dead at Mandrake's hands on
the slaughterfield in Temair. Though Kerry's
father was clicking his heels in Drumbain Jail back home after his failed poaching attempt almost destroyed
the old bridge. They had their own destinies to
seek, and he would not lead them into more danger.
</p>
<p>
Jack's father, Jonathan Cullian Flint might be alive and he might be dead, but his son had to know for sure,
had to discover the truth.
</p>
<p>
He stood again, ready to take the first steps on his journey in this new world.
</p>
<p>
Before he could take a step, the air was rent apart by a sudden screech. In a second it rose to a crescendo,
like a jet racing up a runway. Then something
struck him with such force he stumbled back, twisting to grab his sword.
</p>
<p>
"Wha&#8230;?"
</p>
<p>
Something else hit him and sent him tumbling to land on his backside.
</p>
<p>
The screech suddenly stopped. A hollow <em>pop</em> sucked out what breath he had left in his lungs. He
struggled against the weight and something
struggled against <em>him</em>.
</p>
<p>
"Jeez, Jack," Kerry Malone bawled in his ear. "I'm just <em>never</em> going to get used to going through
those gates."
</p>
<p>
A small hand grabbed his own and heaved him to his feet as his vision cleared.
</p>
<p>
"Are you all right?" Corriwen sounded concerned.
</p>
<p>
She spoke softly in his ear. Jack shook his head to steady himself. Corriwen and Kerry faced him on the
grass. And beyond the two stones, the spangling
lights were gone. All he could see were hills rolling away in the distance. The gate was closed.
</p>
<p>
"What are you two doing here?"
</p>
<p>
"Aw, Jack," Kerry said. "What else could we do? You know you'll just get into a mess if we're not here to
watch your back."
</p>
<p>
"One for all," Corriwen said earnestly. "Isn't that what you said?"
</p>
<p>
"And each for everybody else," Kerry interjected. "Like always."
</p>
<p>
"You were supposed to go home!"
</p>
<p>
"Yeah, right. And let you have all the fun?"
</p>
<p>
Even Corriwen laughed. "We talked," she said. "Temair will still be Temair without me for a while."
</p>
<p>
"And there's not much for me back home," Kerry added. "I'm a nobody there. Here I'm&#8230;hell, I don't even
know <em>where </em>this is."
</p>
<p>
He looked around him, smelling the nectar on the air, feeling the sun on his face.
</p>
<p>
"But it sure is a whole lot better than the other places you took me to. No bodies, no monsters. And it's
<em>warm</em>!"
</p>
<p>
He knuckled Jack on the shoulder. "It's like being on holiday, and we're due a break, don't you think? This
place looks just great."
</p>
<p>
Jack was speechless. He felt tears prick in his eyes again and this time he just managed to blink them away.
Without a word he dropped the sword and swung
his arms around both of them, hugging them tight.
</p>
<p>
"Oh, quit that," Kerry protested. "You'll have me blubberin' for sure."
</p>
<hr/>
<p>
It was some time in the afternoon, Kerry guessed from where the sun sat low in the sky, and they hadn't
wandered far from the two standing stones.
</p>
<p>
"I love this place," Kerry said. He'd taken Corriwen down to the stream and shown her how to catch fish,
poacher-style with his bare hands, tickling them
out from under the banks and flat stones.
</p>
<p>
"They swim right into your hands," he said, between mouthfuls of freshly cooked fish that might have been
trout but were as pink inside as salmon. The
brushwood fire glowed and gave off a scent aroma of herbs. Above it, in the aromatic smoke, three fat fish
were cooking slowly to a rich brown. "This is
paradise, I swear."
</p>
<p>
Corriwen had collected nuts from a grove on the hillside, and black damsons as big as apples from the shrubs
alongside the stream. She sighed and leant
back against a smooth river-stone.
</p>
<p>
"It <em>is</em> peaceful," she said. Jack had to agree, but under his thought came another. <em>Yes, but
will it stay that way?</em>
</p>
<p>
As if sensing the thought, Corriwen glanced at him curiously.
</p>
<p>
"I think we should try to find out where we are," Jack said.
</p>
<p>
"Yeah," Kerry chuckled. "Get out the old sat-nav!"
</p>
<p>
Corriwen gave him one of her puzzled looks and both boys laughed.
</p>
<p>
"You'd never believe me if I told you what that was," Kerry said.
</p>
<p>
Jack had been putting off the moment, content to be with Corriwen and Kerry. Today had felt like a picnic
and they'd needed a break, for sure. But now he
reached into his satchel and drew out the old book, feeling its weight in his hands.
</p>
<p>
The ancient leather binding was as familiar to him now as all the books on the shelf beside his bed back
home, though none was as mysterious or nearly as
important. It was their guide in the mythworlds, their Book of Ways.
</p>
<p>
The book twisted in his palm, as if it contained a life of its own and the front cover flipped open to let
the leaves whirr of their own volition until
they stopped on a blank page. Kerry and Corriwen crowded close, watching intently as old script gradually
appeared on the page, line by line. Jack looked
at Kerry. "You read it, if you like."
</p>
<p>
When the words stopped etching themselves Kerry began to speak.
</p>
<p class="centered">
The Farward Gate of Uaine dear
</p>
<p class="centered">
The Summerland so Fair and Clear
</p>
<p class="centered">
But Journeyman should well step light
</p>
<p class="centered">
For mischief stalks the bleak of night.
</p>
<p class="centered">
Spell miscast for binder's gain
</p>
<p class="centered">
Summons shadow, summons bane.
</p>
<p class="centered">
Set face and foot to Westward path
</p>
<p class="centered">
And shelter fast from bale-moon wrath
</p>
<p class="centered">
Journeyman must face his fate
</p>
<p class="centered">
For nowhere now stands homeward gate
</p>
<p class="centered">
In darkness deep waits darkness old
</p>
<p class="centered">
And peril waits who seeks his goal.
</p>
<p>
Kerry stopped, and for a moment there was silence.
</p>
<p>
"Not very promising," Jack finally said.
</p>
<p>
"It never is," Kerry responded. "I wish just once it would tell us straight. And maybe it's got it wrong.
This place seems okay to me."
</p>
<p>
"And Temair was once your oh-kay too," Corriwen interrupted. "But where there's good, there is always bad."
</p>
<p>
"Maybe not as bad as before," Jack said, though his mind kept repeating the words from the second verse:
<em>Nowhere now stands homeward gate.</em>
</p>
<p>
He felt those fingers of uncertainty creep on the skin of his back. He had come on a quest, hoping he had
chosen the right gate. If he was wrong&#8230;if
there was no way back&#8230;
</p>
<p>
Jack shook the thought away and closed the book
</p>
<p>
"I think the holiday is over," he said.
</p>
</div>
</div>
</body>
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<head>
<title>The Shadowmaster - Chapter 2</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="imperaWeb.css"/>
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<h1>2</h1>
<p>
The sun and hovered on the horizon before finally sank from view. A bright flicker of green was followed by a wave of strange purple light which rolled
across the sky.
</p>
<p>
"Weird," Kerry said.
</p>
<p>
"That sometimes happens," Jack said. "The green flash at sunset. I read it somewhere."
</p>
<p>
"Not that." Kerry was looking towards where the sun had set. He pointed. Jack and Corriwen stood beside him.
</p>
<p>
Behind them, the sky was silken black and dotted with stars and a full moon glowed silver. But in the distance ahead, a bruised haze swelled on the
horizon, and swirling like oil on a stagnant pool.
</p>
<p>
"Is that a storm coming on? Everywhere we go, there's always a freakin' storm. You'd think we could catch a break!"
</p>
<p>
"I don't like this," Corriwen whispered, almost to herself. Jack nodded. He looked around them as a breeze began to rise, bringing with it the faint whiff
of burning.
</p>
<p>
"We're a bit exposed here," he said.
</p>
<p>
Kerry drew his eyes away from the strange haze. "I saw some trees over the hill," he said. "Maybe we should shelter there for the night."
</p>
<p>
The line in the Book of Ways echoed in Jack's mind: <em>For mischief stalks the bleak of night.</em>
</p>
<p>
"Sooner the better." Corriwen packed the remaining food into their bags. Jack stashed the Book and gathered his sword and the amberhorn bow while Kerry
wrapped the smoked fish in big leaves then trotted down to a pool in the stream and hacked out an armful of tall bulrushes.
</p>
<p>
"Torches," he explained to no-one in particular. "They burn."
</p>
<p>
"Good thinking," Jack said. Kerry was always practical. They made their way fast up the slope to the coppice which covered the crest, while the purple haze
expanded like a dark squall towards them. They were only a few yards from the shelter of the overhanging boughs when Kerry stopped abruptly.
</p>
<p>
"What is it?" Corriwen said, peering ahead into the shadows. From the corner of his eye, Jack caught a silver flicker and knew that she had drawn her
knives.
</p>
<p>
"Not there," Kerry said. He pointed over her head and the three of them looked up at the sky.
</p>
<p>
The dark tinge was beginning to brush past the full moon, casting oily shadows over its face. As it thickened, the silver faded to violet. For a long
moment the moon was completely obscured, and then it waxed bright again.
</p>
<p>
But now it glared down at them, red as blood, its surface seeming to writhe.
</p>
<p>
"Jeez Jack," Kerry breathed. "It's just like&#8230;"
</p>
<p>
"The night we saw Billy Robbins," Jack finished for him. The night - it seemed to long ago now - that Billy Robbins had hunted them through the trees
behind the Major's home, the moon had turned blood red. And with it had come an awful <em>living</em> darkness that had oozed its way into the Major's
study and caused their fearful flight through the tunnel into Cromwath Blackwood and on through the gates to another world.
</p>
<p>
Under that red moon, the Nightshades had ripped through into their home world and come hunting for them. Jack knew now that they had been searching for the
mystical heartstone he bore.
</p>
<p>
"<em>Nightshades,</em>" Kerry whispered. "Do you think they're from here?"
</p>
<p>
Cold prickles made the hair on Jack's neck stand on end. Below his collar-bone, the heartstone shuddered, giving him a warning.
</p>
<p>
Corriwen made a quick gesture with her fingers. Jack didn't know what it meant, but he could guess. She was warding off something bad.
</p>
<p>
"Come on," he said, gripping her by the elbow. "Let's get into cover."
</p>
<p>
He turned one last time. Behind him, the Farward Gate reflected the blood-light, two red pillars.
</p>
<p>
Ahead of him them, Kerry stumbled. Jack heard the crack of dry wood snapping.
</p>
<p>
"What's up?"
</p>
<p>
"Some kind of fence," Kerry said. "I fell over it."
</p>
<p>
Corriwen helped Kerry to his feet. Two halves of a thin branch hung from a pair of slender uprights. It was part of a frail barrier, though what it could
have corralled Jack couldn't imagine. Small corn-dolls, woven from golden straw, hung from the horizontal struts, dancing in the odd light.
</p>
<p>
"Stupid place to put a fence," Kerry said, stepping gingerly towards the trees. Under the first leafy boughs, they were out of the direct glare of the red
moon and Jack felt less nervous. They moved on until they found a small dell. Kerry collected some twigs and pulled out the little lighter that had already
served them well in two worlds. He bent over the pile, flicked the lighter and jerked back as a six-inch flame almost singed his eyebrows.
</p>
<p>
"Nearly blinded myself there," he said, rubbing his eye. "The adjuster must be jammed."
</p>
<p>
He managed to start the fire and used the flames to ignite the bulrush heads before jamming the stalks into the ground to give them more light.
</p>
<p>
They sat close together in silence, each with their own thoughts, each peering now and again into the gloom beyond the glow of the torches.
</p>
<p>
"What do you think the Book was trying to say?" Kerry's question broke the silence,
</p>
<p>
Jack closed his eyes, recalling each word, the way he'd remembered lines of poetry in school.
</p>
<p>
"This place must be Uaine."
</p>
<p>
"Ooh-waine?"
</p>
<p>
"That's how you say it. I remember it from the legends. It's old, anyway. I think it was a magical place."
</p>
<p>
"It seemed that when we first came," Corriwen said. She shivered. The breeze, even in the trees was colder now despite the heat from the fire. "Now it
doesn't feel right."
</p>
<p>
"<em>Mischief stalks the bleak of night</em>," Jack recited. He could feel the heartstone pulse slowly on his chest. " <em>And shelter fast from bale moon wrath</em>."
</p>
<p>
"Doesn't sound like a lot of fun and games," Kerry said.
</p>
<p>
"No," Jack said flatly. "But it got the moon dead right, so we have to be on guard tonight."
</p>
<p>
"You bet," Kerry said. "I don't think I could sleep anyway."
</p>
<p>
But in half an hour, Kerry was curled up close to the embers, head on his backpack, snoring softly. Jack and Corriwen faced each other beside the fire.
Jack noticed the flickering flame made her hair gleam. She reached into her bag, pulled out some of the big nuts, and threw one to Jack.
</p>
<p>
"You bear the key to all worlds. That's what the Sky Lady said."
</p>
<p>
Jack nodded. "I think I knew that already. She called me <em>Journeyman.</em> That's what my father was. But she couldn't tell me where he had gone. I've
got to find that out for myself."
</p>
<p>
<em>Now your own quest begins</em>
, the lady had told him.
</p>
<p>
"She said to find the door into summer. And then the door into night. Whatever that means."
</p>
<p>
He ignored the goosebumps rising on his skin and smiled at her. "But we'll find out soon enough." He stretched out a hand and took hers.
</p>
<p>
"At least I'm not alone."
</p>
<p>
"No, Jack. We wouldn't let that happen." She smiled back at him. "One for all."
</p>
<p>
He was about to respond with Kerry's usual reply when a sudden cry startled both of them.
</p>
<p>
Kerry rolled and was on his knees in an instant, eyes wide and bewildered.
</p>
<p>
"Bad dream?" Jack asked.
</p>
<p>
Kerry nodded, short of breath. He rubbed his eyes with shaky hands.
</p>
<p>
"Just like when I was little. I used to dream there were things under the bed, crawling out to get me. It scared me to death."
</p>
<p>
"But you're not in your bed," Jack said.
</p>
<p>
"Something hit me," Kerry said. "Was it you?"
</p>
<p>
"Don't be daft," Jack said, but as he did, he heard a soft thumping sound. Kerry jerked backwards.
</p>
<p>
"Did you see that?" He pointed at his backpack. The thud came again and the backpack bucked of its of accord.
</p>
<p>
"A bristlehog," Corriwen said. "It must have crawled in." She giggled. "Just don't eat it. They're foul, and I should know."
</p>
<p>
Kerry drew his short-sword and eased it under the flap, flicked the blade and the bag opened flat. Something moved inside and he bent closer to warily peer
in.
</p>
<p>
One of the fat trout that had been cooking in the smoke flopped out and quivered on the ground, its milky white eye stared blindly up. Its tail flipped up,
once, twice. Kerry really jerked back this time.
</p>
<p>
"This isn't happening!" He rapped his head with a knuckle, realised he wasn't dreaming and looked, pale-faced at the others. "It's dead. How can it
be&#8230;?"
</p>
<p>
Corriwen squawked and her hand opened. The nut dropped, rolled between the stones around the fire and for a second everybody's attention was away from the
impossibly flopping fish. The nutshell cracked open and a pair of black legs poked through as a big black spider scraped its way out. Its legs pawed the
air and two glittering fangs raised up, little drips of poison forming at their tips. It moved in a blur of legs and ran up Corriwen's ankle, red eyes
glittering.
</p>
<p>
Without a pause Kerry swung his blade and flicked the spider off into the fire where it stumbled around sizzling until it crumpled into a smoking ball.
</p>
<p>
"Something's wrong here," Kerry said shakily. The dead trout flipped again, its mouth opening and snapping shut. Two rows of jagged piranha-like teeth
gnashed together with every snap; teeth that had not been there when Kerry hauled them from the stream.
</p>
<p>
The fish convulsed again, landing near Kerry's foot and the teeth would have taken a chunk out of him if he hadn't kicked it away fast. Corriwen snatched
up a hot stone and clobbered it flat before it could move again.
</p>
<p>
Way beyond the firelight, in the deep gloom of the trees, a low moan, like an animal in pain, came through the darkness, breaking into stuttering gasps as
it echoed from tree to tree.
</p>
<p>
<em>&#8230;.mischief stalks the bleak of night&#8230;</em>
Jack thought the Book had got <em>that</em> dead right.
</p>
<p>
He got to his feet and then Corriwen was at his side. Kerry joined them so they stood back to back, shoulder to shoulder, weapons ready.
</p>
<p>
"This is as bad as being in the open," Kerry whispered. Beyond the firelight, the low moan shivered through the forest and under that, even deeper still, a
hungry grunting sound of some beast on the hunt.
</p>
<p>
One of the bulrush torches guttered and sent a trail of smoke twirling up. It writhed and then condensed slowly until they could make out what seemed to be
a gargoyle face. A long tendril oozed out, became a thin hand that snatched at Corriwen's neck. Jack pulled her back before it could touch her. The ghastly
face stretched into an evil grin before the breeze wafted it away.
</p>
<p>
"Was that real?" Corriwen asked, shuddering.
</p>
<p>
"I don't know," Jack whispered.
</p>
<p>
"That freakin' fish was real," Kerry said. "Nearly had my foot off. It was like a shark."
</p>
<p>
In the shadows, Jack thought he could detect movement and the heartstone began to quiver. Kerry felt him tense.
</p>
<p>
"I really don't think we should stay here," he whispered.
</p>
<p>
"It might be worse out there," Corriwen said.
</p>
<p>
"No," Jack said clearly. "I can see things in the shadows. I don't know what they are, but I've got a bad feeling." His sword was drawn, the Scatha's
blade, razor sharp and deadly, but somehow he thought even this sword might be useless against the things that moved in the night. "The heartstone's
beating like a drum."
</p>
<p>
A dozen yards away, one of the shadows uncoiled in a fast, loping movement. Two pale eyes opened in the gloom, wide spaced and sickly yellow and instantly
Jack had a flashback of the memory the Sky Lady had unlocked in his mind - shadow beasts with those same haunting eyes had pursued them through the dark
towards the stone pillars. He'd only been a baby then, but the memory was clear and powerful.
</p>
<p>
Something moved out there. Another pair of eyes opened, headlights in the dark. Jack glimpsed a flash of what might have been teeth. The creature leapt
over dead branches towards them, lithe as a cat, growling in whatever it had for a throat.
</p>
<p>
Jack tried to tell himself he must be imagining this all of this, but the heartstone was vibrating fast on his chest and he knew they had to run, and run
fast.
</p>
<p>
Sword out, he pulled Corriwen close.
</p>
<p>
"I think they'll try to surround us," he said. He and Kerry still wore the boots Rune the Cluricaun had made for them in Eirinn, boots that lent them the
speed they needed. But Corriwen didn't have that benefit. She'd been a captive when they met Rune.
</p>
<p>
"Get ready to run." He said, sensing her nod in agreement.
</p>
<p>
"Take Corrie's arm," he told Kerry. "We need speed."
</p>
<p>
Something moved in a slither of black It was so close that Jack caught a gagging whiff of rotten meat. Kerry snatched up one of the bulrush torches and
jammed it into the embers of their fire. It flared in a whoosh of flame and blazed a fiery arc as he swung it around. The shadows drew back. Feral eyes
snapped shut.
</p>
<p>
"Now!" Jack cried, grabbing Corriwen's wrist. They raced out of the clearing, heading back in the direction they had come.
</p>
<p>
They had barely run twenty paces when Jack realised something was wrong. They weren't going fast enough.
</p>
<p>
"The boots don't work here," he gasped.
</p>
<p>
"My feet do!" Kerry bawled back at him. "Just <em>run!"</em>
</p>
<p>
They sprinted, dodging looming trunks, aware all the time of the pursuit behind them, until they burst out of the trees and raced down the hill. They used
the downslope to give them momentum, feet thudding, hearts pounding, gaining distance on the moving shadows. Some distance ahead, under the red light of
the strange moon, Jack could just make out a cluster of buildings. Without a pause, he veered towards it. Kerry and Corriwen must have seen it too, because
they followed right on his heels.
</p>
<p>
The chance of shelter gave them that added impetus they needed and in mere seconds the houses loomed ahead of them. There must be people here, Jack
thought. They'll help us.
</p>
<p>
Twenty yards away from the nearest house, Kerry crashed through an unseen barrier and fell headlong. Jack grabbed him by the hood, pulled him to his feet
and they dived between two cottages and along a narrow, cobbled street.
</p>
<p>
Behind them, Jack could hear the scrabbling of nails or claws on the cobbles. He imagined a long, sinuous arm stretch out to grab and rip, but he pushed
that thought away.
</p>
<p>
They scooted up the street, searching for somewhere to hide, but every door, every shutter was closed tight. There were no lights on anywhere, no sign of
life at all.
</p>
<p>
Jack swung round a bend, dodged up a narrower alley. He saw a barn-like structure and made straight for its door. With luck, it crashed open. As soon as
Kerry was through, he turned and slammed the door shut. Corriwen groped for the cross-bar latch and wedged it home. Just as it clocked into the wooden
slot, something hit the door hard enough to send splinters flying. They stood together, hardly daring to breathe while the thing scratched and growled in
the darkness outside. After what seemed an age, they heard it move away.
</p>
<p>
Jack let out a deep breath.
</p>
<p>
"I think it's gone."
</p>
<p>
Somewhere in the distance a baby cried. A child's wail came ringing through the darkness. A man's angry voice silenced it and then all went quiet.
</p>
<p>
"I sure don't want to meet those things again," Kerry said. "I'm staying awake for sure."
</p>
<p>
And he was still awake in the morning when the villagers came and seized them.
</p>
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<h1>3</h1>
<p>
The red glow drained from the sky and real darkness fell. Nothing stirred in the village. In the barn, the Jack, Kerry and Corriwen huddled together,
listening intently, but all they heard was the faint squeak of a mouse deep in the hay, and their own quiet breathing.
</p>
<p>
An hour later, the first glimmer of dawn broke, sending rays of light through the narrow cracks on the barn wall, real daylight now, to Jack's relief, not
the poisonous glow of the bale moon.
</p>
<p>
All three were tired from lack of sleep as they roused themselves, stretching stiff joints, when sounds outside told them the village was waking up. Warily
they edged to the wall and Jack put an eye to a crack. In the street, men were gathering, talking loudly amongst themselves. A group of them ran up an
alley and came back with a piece of broken branch. Then the shouting started. One big man came along with two small dogs on a leash. They snuffled around
in the alley then began to bark, dragging the handler across the cobbles straight to the barn.
</p>
<p>
"We'd better go say hello," Kerry said. "If it wasn't for this place, we'd have been up the creek with a hole in the boat and no paddle."
</p>
<p>
No sooner were the words out of his mouth when the barn door almost fell off its hinges, and half a dozen men came barging in. Jack stood up on the hay
bales and one of the men cried out in alarm before the rest of them rushed forward and grabbed him.
</p>
<p>
"Hey," Kerry shouted, as Jack struggled in their clutches. "There's no call for that."
</p>
<p>
Corriwen twisted and kicked as two brawny men hauled her off the hay, but to no avail. These were big farming types, dressed in leathers and rough plaids.
The three of them had no chance.
</p>
<p>
"Bring them out," one of them growled. He snatched Jack's jerkin and dragged him forward.
</p>
<p>
"You brought the nightshades," he snarled. "Let them in, you did. You'll pay for that."
</p>
<p>
"We didn't bring anything," Jack began, but before he could finish a big hand and clamped over his mouth.
</p>
<p>
"Save it, trespasser. You cost us dear."
</p>
<p>
And with that the three of them were bundled out of the barn and frog-marched up the street, while men, women and children watched them go by, with sullen
angry eyes.
</p>
<p>
Corriwen managed to pull free enough to speak.
</p>
<p>
"You've made a mistake. We didn't bring these things. They hunted us."
</p>
<p>
"Aye, and you broke the Rowan Ring," the big man spat. "Here and at the coppice. You know the penalty for that."
</p>
<p>
Kerry managed to get a breath. "We don't know anything. We've just arrived here. We don't even know where <em>here</em> is."
</p>
<p>
He grimaced at Jack. "And here was I thinking this place was pretty cool."
</p>
<p>
They were hauled to a big wooden building which Jack assumed was the meeting-hall. The villagers crowded in as Jack, Kerry and Corriwen were shoved towards
a stout table. From behind it a squat bearded man glared at them.
</p>
<p>
"What are they?" the head man asked. "Dwarves or sprites?"
</p>
<p>
He pointed at Jack. "You boy. What's your ilk and where from?"
</p>
<p>
"I'm Jack Flint, from Scotland."
</p>
<p>
"Never heard of you, nor your Scotland either, and I know everybody in these parts."
</p>
<p>
He banged a hand on the table. "I bring this testing to order. Three strangers stand accused. Who speaks against them?"
</p>
<p>
"I do, Master Boru." A woman came forward. She bore a wicker basket and laid it on the table, opened its lid and drew out a brown speckled egg which she
cracked open. Something grey and leathery rolled out. Huge red eyes slowly opened and the beak gaped, showing two lines of tiny sharp teeth. The creature
looked more lizard than chicken.
</p>
<p>
"They brought the nightshades," the woman said. "And now my chickens are sprite-sick."
</p>
<p>
A thin man came forward. "They broke the sacred Rowan Ring. Not a nut or fruit left on a tree."
</p>
<p>
Jack stood up straight, as tall as he could get, and still felt small against the men who surrounded them.
</p>
<p>
"Don't we get a chance to speak?"
</p>
<p>
"You get a chance to answer what you're asked," Boru said. He delved under the table and drew out Jack's long sword. Corriwen's knives, the bow and Kerry's
short-sword followed suit. Jack gasped when he saw the heartstone join them on the table. He hadn't even felt them take it in the struggle.
</p>
<p>
"Now where, I'm wondering, would you get blades as good as this?" Boru asked. "Not around here, I'm sure of that. No man but hold-keepers may carry such.
They are forfeit."
</p>
<p>
"They're ours," Kerry said. "You've no right."
</p>
<p>
"I'll be the judge of who owns what." Boru growled. He raised Jack's sword, admiring the fine blade. He ran a thumb down an edge then started back when a
thin trickle of blood ran down to his wrist.
</p>
<p>
"Sorcery wrought, for sure," he declared. "I've never seen its match. This was either stolen or bought for service to the dark."
</p>
<p>
He glared across at them. "You come here and break the Rowan Ring and come armed with sorceren blades. And we don't even know what you are."
</p>
<p>
"We're people," Jack said. "People like you."
</p>
<p>
"Ha. So you say," the headman rasped. "None travel Uaine under the bale-moon. None but the demon-touched."
</p>
<p>
He jabbed a finger at Jack. "Or the fiend-friend."
</p>
<p>
"They hunted us," Jack protested. "We just ran for shelter."
</p>
<p>
"I say you're outlanders," Boru retorted. "Outlanders come for mischief."
</p>
<p>
"We're nothing of the sort&#8230;" Corriwen began to protest. But Boru snatched up the heartstone on its chain and raised it high. People gasped and made
signs with their hands
</p>
<p>
"Black heart! Just like your own."
</p>
<p>
A murmur of approval went round the hall. A voice called from the back.
</p>
<p>
"I say send them back to the pit they crawled from!"
</p>
<p>
All around them the crowd muttered consent. The headman stood. "For breaking the Rowan-Ring and bringing shades and sprites, there is but one penalty. Take
them out and give them back to the dark."
</p>
<p>
"What's the penalty?" Kerry demanded. "We didn't do anything."
</p>
<p>
A hand clamped over his mouth to cut off his words and they were dragged away, unable to fight or protest. The villagers followed their progress as they
were half-carried and half frogmarched out of the hamlet, up a narrow track to a small hill barely a mile from the village where several stout wooden posts
had been driven into the ground.
</p>
<p>
Their captors pushed them against the posts and quickly tied their wrists securely behind them. That done, the villagers turned and went back down the
track.
</p>
<p>
"I think we're in a real heap of trouble," Kerry said when they had all gone.
</p>
<p>
"They are afraid," Corriwen said. "People were like that with Mandrake."
</p>
<p>
Jack's heart felt as if it had sunk into his boots. Their weapons were gone, but worse that that, the Book of Ways was back in the village, and the head
man now had the heartstone. The three of them were tied to posts on a hill, completely defenceless. A long and uncomfortable day lay ahead of them.
</p>
<p>
And after that, the <em>night</em>.
</p>
<p>
"There are circles everywhere," Corriwen said. The boys followed her gaze and saw fertile fields and little orchards on the flatland at the bottom of the
hill. Each field, each orchard and coppice was surrounded by a fragile fence of thin branches.
</p>
<p>
"Must be some sort of protection," Jack said.
</p>
<p>
"From the nightshades," Kerry added. "We have to get ourselves out of here."
</p>
<p>
He leaned out past Jack. "Corrie, you don't happen to have a knife in your boot?"
</p>
<p>
She shook her head. "Not even the clever little one Jack gave me."
</p>
<p>
Corriwen twisted and turned against her bonds, though it was clear she'd never break them. Jack and Kerry did the same, but soon the rising heat of the
day, combined with hunger and thirst, tired them out. They sagged despondently against their bonds as morning became afternoon and then the shadows began
to lengthen.
</p>
<p>
A scraping sound startled Jack to sudden awareness. He twisted round, half expecting to see some animal creeping towards him, but it was Corriwen who'd
made the noise. She sucked in her breath and wriggled round until she was facing Jack and Kerry.
</p>
<p>
"I remembered Tig and Tag, the Acrobats in Eirinn," she said. "They taught me a few things when we escaped from Wolfen Castle. I think we have a
chance&#8230; maybe."
</p>
<p>
With that, she bent forward, leaning out from the post as far as the bindings would allow. Both boys heard her muscles and ligaments creak as she pressed
to the limit of endurance and Jack saw her face twist into a mask of concentration and effort.
</p>
<p>
"What's she doing?"
</p>
<p>
Jack shushed him to silence.
</p>
<p>
Corriwen's arms were now pointing directly behind her and Jack thought if she pushed any further, they might pop out of the sockets at her shoulders. Very
slowly she forced her body forward. Jack winced at the sound of tendons stretched to their limit, but Corriwen ignored her pain, and inch by inch, she
began to walk her feet backwards up the rough wood surface, her head almost touching the ground.
</p>
<p>
"Sun's almost gone," Kerry said anxiously. Above them, the moon was still silver, but they had seen that before and seen it change.
</p>
<p>
The dark came so quickly it took them by surprise, and again the weird green flash rolled across the sky.
</p>
<p>
"I can't&#8230;" Corriwen wailed. "I can't reach."
</p>
<p>
Somewhere in the distance, something big and wild howled, startling all three of them.
</p>
<p>
Corriwen moaned and Jack heard a distinct snap. Then all of a sudden he saw her edge away from the post. She paused, gasping like an exhausted animal, then
stood up.
</p>
<p>
Only now she was <em>facing</em> the stake. Somehow she had managed to loop herself through her own arms. Then she winked at him and Jack's heart began to
pound as she began to shin up the post. It seemed to take forever until she finally got both hands over the top.
</p>
<p>
"Yes!" They both heard her hiss of triumph.
</p>
<p>
Closer now, the big animal howled again.
</p>
<p>
A purple wave rolled across the face of the moon and as it had the previous night, it turned red, glaring down at them with a face of blood. <em>Bale moon!</em>
</p>
<p>
Corriwen slid down the post and ran across to Jack and Kerry. Her hands were still tied in front of her, and one shoulder was raised higher than the other,
oddly askew. Jack knew she must have dislocated her own shoulder to get free. She scrabbled about on the ground until she found a rough stone and then
began to saw at Jack's bindings.
</p>
<p>
"Do Kerry first," he hissed.
</p>
<p>
"Don't be daft," Kerry said. Corriwen ignored them and scraped away until Jack felt the rope break and he lurched forward. Instantly Corriwen was behind
Kerry and sawing fast as the purple sky deepened to real night and out there, beyond the hill, the low moaning sound echoed in the dark, and further out,
barely audible, the feral growling of nightshades on the hunt.
</p>
<p>
Kerry rubbed his wrists and then hugged Corriwen tight. She winced in pain, but bore with it. "You're a genius," he told her.
</p>
<p>
"Tell her in the morning," Jack said, pulling him away. "Now we really have to move."
</p>
<p>
And as dark shapes came slouching past the barricades at the fields at the base of the hill, Jack, Kerry and Corriwen began to run in the opposite
direction.
</p>
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<h1>
4
</h1>
<p>
The smell of burning followed them as they ran from the nightshades. Ahead was a small stand of trees which would offer very little cover. Jack knew they
couldn't keep running all night.
</p>
<p>
Yet couldn't stop either, not in the open and unarmed, he thought, as they crested the hill and down the other side.
</p>
<p>
"We should go back to the village," Kerry said.
</p>
<p>
"There's no haven there," Corriwen countered. She was hugging one elbow tight as she ran, obviously slowed by the pain.
</p>
<p>
"Save your breath," Jack ordered. "And keep running!"
</p>
<p>
He felt defenceless without the great sword and the heartstone. The sword had felt a part of him since the first time he'd held it in Eirinn, when he stood
alongside Hedda the Scatha facing the charging cavalry.
</p>
<p>
And the heartstone, his father's talisman, that had a power all of its own. The key to <em>worlds</em>.
</p>
<p>
As they raced down the far side of the hill they could hear the creatures behind, howling like hyenas over a kill. Hyenas would be bad enough, but the
unearthly shadow shapes - <em>the nightshades,</em>- were so unnatural, so fundamentally <em>wrong</em>, that it stirred the deepest terrors inside his
mind.
</p>
<p>
He had been carried as a baby as the shades had hounded them through a forest. The recollection spurred a supernatural fear, one that he didn't believe he
would ever want to face again.
</p>
<p>
Suddenly a truly savage howl shuddered the night and startled all three of them.
</p>
<p>
"What the freak is <em>that?</em>"
</p>
<p>
Jack didn't have the breath to respond. The howling soared high and then subsided into a vicious snarl. Another blared, closer in, but this time even
louder, closer. Much too close.
</p>
<p>
"Surrounding us," Corriwen gasped. "They're <em>fast.</em>"
</p>
<p>
From the corner of his eye, Jack thought he saw a pale shape running low about a hundred yards away.
</p>
<p>
He swerved and Kerry and Corriwen followed. They found themselves racing towards the edge of a thick forest.
</p>
<p>
"No way," Kerry blurted. "Not again!"
</p>
<p>
He tried to veer away. It was understandable. They had been in forests so often before in other worlds and in each one they had faced terrible dangers.
</p>
<p>
Jack risked a glance behind him and saw the dark shadows creeping over the hill like a rising tide. They had no choice but to run for the trees. Jack
grabbed Kerry's arm and swung him back.
</p>
<p>
The trees enfolded them in shadows and the three ran in the dark, hands outstretched as they went, careening into saplings and through tangles of fern.
</p>
<p>
Now the howling was really close. Something heavy crashed through undergrowth.
</p>
<p>
Spider-webs caught at Corriwen's hair, parting with sinewy snaps. Ghostly moths whirred around their heads but they still pushed on, over a rise and then
across a shallow stream.
</p>
<p>
Kerry crouched fast and came up with two heavy rocks. Jack scrabbled around for a stout branch and when his fingers found one, he heaved a sight of relief.
It was not ideal, but it was something to fight with. He hoped.
</p>
<p>
But there was every possibility that the <em>nightshades, </em>just couldn't be fought. If the villagers barricaded themselves in at night and huddled,
afraid, until dawn, how could three youngsters do better?
</p>
<p>
He pushed Corriwen ahead of him, aware of her ragged breathing, knowing she was hurt and tiring even more than he was, but he made sure he and Kerry were
between her and whatever was coming. They barged through, tripping and sliding while thorns and splinters spiked their exposed skin.
</p>
<p>
The snarl came so loud it caused them all to jump. Kerry turned, one stone raised. Something flitted between the trees, just a flash of grey. It growled
again, deep and throaty and came in fast on their flank.
</p>
<p>
"It's getting ahead of us," Jack said.
</p>
<p>
Kerry launched a stone at the fleeting shape, a good throw that missed the creature by only a few feet and smacked against a trunk.
</p>
<p>
The animal snarled again, ferocious and hungry. Then, from their right, an almost identical snarl told them there were two of them, closing in from either
side.
</p>
<p>
Just ahead, a massive tree blocked their way, but Jack pushed Corriwen towards it. They stumbled over tangled roots until they came hard up against a trunk
as wide as a wagon.
</p>
<p>
Corriwen instinctively reached for her knives. Her fingers hooked on empty sheaths, and she hissed in anger and dismay.
</p>
<p>
Jack took a second to check out the tree. Thick branches grew from the trunk, low enough to reach.
</p>
<p>
"Lets get our backs to the tree," he said. "They're closing in. I don't think Corrie can run any further."
</p>
<p>
His heart seemed to be stuck in his throat, but there was nothing for it. At least it might give Corriwen a chance, and he owed her that, after all they'd
been through together; after she'd willingly stepped through the gateway to stand by him. At least he could fight for her, he told himself. He leaned
against the trunk and laced his fingers together, forming a stirrup.
</p>
<p>
"Climb, Corrie," he urged. "Maybe these things can't."
</p>
<p>
She didn't hesitate. She got one foot in his hands and she grunted with the effort and the sudden wrench of pain in her shoulder as he boosted her up to
the first branch. Beside him, Kerry launched another other stone. It crashed through the ferns and hit another tree with a gunshot crack.
</p>
<p>
"Missed again!"
</p>
<p>
"You next," Jack said urgently. "Come on man! They're closing in."
</p>
<p>
He braced his legs to take Kerry's weight when from above, Corriwen called down.
</p>
<p>
"There's a light. I can see it from here."
</p>
<p>
"What's that?"
</p>
<p>
"It's a cottage. A woodsman's hut."
</p>
<p>
The beasts were approaching more slowly now. Jack saw a flicker of red as their eyes reflected shards of moonlight that managed to pierce the foliage. They
growled softly as they closed in.
</p>
<p>
Corriwen clambered down from above and Jack caught her with both hands.
</p>
<p>
"It <em>is</em> a cottage," she repeated, excited. "In a clearing. I think we can make it."
</p>
<p>
Jack and Kerry rounded the tree and saw the winking light not far ahead of them. Corriwen ran for it and they followed her, Kerry a couple of steps ahead
of Jack, who kept a tight grip of only weapon they now had, ready to defend them all.
</p>
<p>
The clearing opened abruptly before them, wide enough to let in moonlight and Jack saw they were running across a carpet of moss and leaves towards the
light in the cottage. The scent of woodsmoke drifted in the air told him somebody was home, and that spurred him on..
</p>
<p>
The gibbering sound of the <em>nightshades</em> had faded away, but the big beasts were now so close Jack could smell them. He whirled, branch raised, and
saw them clearly now, hackles raised in spikes and eyes drawn into slits. Long fangs showed in twin snarls.
</p>
<p>
Kerry snatched at his hood and pulled him along. The animals howled in unison and Jack needed no further urging.
</p>
<p>
Corriwen was twenty yards ahead, silhouetted in the light from a small window. Grey smoke spiralled from a crooked chimney of the ramshackle cottage. The
boys followed her as fast as they could, all the time fearing those sharp fangs might close on their necks.
</p>
<p>
The door was wooden, splintered in places. Corriwen hit it with all her weight, bounced, yelped in pain and fell backwards. She sprang up and hammered with
the flat of her hand.
</p>
<p>
"Open up. Please open."
</p>
<p>
On the edge of the clearing, the hounds, or wolves, snapped and snarled, but came no closer, and that alone made Jack's skin twitch.
</p>
<p>
If <em>they</em> were afraid to approach&#8230;
</p>
<p>
The thought was immediately cut short when Corriwen pushed the door again and it swung open. Her momentum carried her forward, and them with her. All three
landed in a heap inside.
</p>
<p>
"Close it quick!" Jack cried, trying to untangle himself. Kerry clambered up and swung the door shut. Jack helped Corriwen to her feet and looked around.
</p>
<p>
The cottage was tiny, cramped and cluttered. Cobwebs festooned old rafters. A fire glowed in a grate and above the embers a black pot hung from chains. It
bubbled in the heat, giving off a meaty aroma of stew.
</p>
<p>
On rickety shelves around the crooked walls, translucent jars of coloured glass held an assortment of creatures, magnified in the liquid they floated in.
Frogs and toads; spiders and beetles, and bits of other things that none of them could identify. A rough-hewn table was covered with mixing bowls and
grinders and a heavy carving knife was jammed point-first into the surface. More knives hung from hooks.
</p>
<p>
"I don't like this," Kerry said, eying the array of knives. "It's like a witch's den."
</p>
<p>
"Better than out there," Corriwen whispered. Jack thought she sounded more hopeful than confident, but he said nothing. He took it all in, the weird
creatures in the jars, the pot bubbling away, and wondered if they had escaped from one danger and into another. This place reminded him of Hanzel and
Gretel in a fairytale forest.
</p>
<p>
And the black house in the forest of Temair. The one that tried to draw them in.
</p>
<p>
Then a hand reached past him, a hand with long thin fingers, stained bright scarlet, and touched Kerry on the shoulder.
</p>
<p>
Kerry let out a wail of pure fright as a hooded figure bent towards him.
</p>
<p>
"Don't eat me!" He yelped.
</p>
<p>
A pair of deeply shadowed eyes peered out from under an old black cowl.
</p>
<p>
"Eat you?" It was an old woman's voice. Grey hair hung down on either side of her face. "What a <em>disgusting</em> thing to say!"
</p>
<p>
She pulled him closer, inspecting him. "And besides, there's hardly a pick on you worth chewing on."
</p>
<p>
Without turning, the woman spoke again. "You might as well put that knife down, my dear. You could cut yourself."
</p>
<p>
Very slowly Corriwen lowered the knife back to the table. She'd moved so fast that Jack hadn't even seen her snatch it up..
</p>
<p>
"Now, young travellers," the woman said. "I think you've had quite a night of it, eh?"
</p>
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<h1>
5
</h1>
<p>
The old woman flipped back her hood, letting tangled grey hair spill over her shoulders. Jack's eyes were fixed on the scarlet stains on her hands. Her
nails were blood red. He still gripped the branch in both hands, wondering where she'd come from, who she was, and mostly about those red fingers.
</p>
<p>
She raised both eyebrows.
</p>
<p>
"And you, young man. Go put that log in the pile. Can't be wasting good firewood."
</p>
<p>
With that she released Kerry and swept fingers through her hair, pulled it back and quickly knotted it in a bun, which made her less dishevelled.
</p>
<p>
"Oh, where are my manners?" When she straightened up, she was tall and lean, with sharp features and lines around eyes that were so green they seemed to
glare in the firelight. "Come in, come in. Sit down."
</p>
<p>
She gestured to some stools around the table. "Bring them closer to the fire and warm yourselves. You children look ready to drop."
</p>
<p>
Kerry picked up two stools, while keeping his eyes fixed warily on the woman. Jack took a third. As he carried it closer to the fireplace, he saw the
little door ajar on its hinges. He hadn't heard it open, hadn't heard the woman's approach. She caught his glance and nodded slightly. The door slowly
swung shut with a muffled thud, making Jack start.
</p>
<p>
Kerry and Corriwen exchanged glances. She had put the sharp knife down, but kept her hand close.
</p>
<p>
"Oh, it's so nice to have visitors," the woman said smiling at them. "Young visitors!"
</p>
<p>
Jack saw Kerry's look of apprehension. He felt just the same.
</p>
<p>
"It's been such a long time since anybody bothered to come visit old Megrin and now here's three of you, all alone in the darkwood."
</p>
<p>
When she smiled, wrinkles made big creases on her skin, deepened by the shadows.
</p>
<p>
"Not a good place to go stumbling when the sun's down. Yet here you all are."
</p>
<p>
She shooed them forward. "Go on, sit down and take the weight off your feet. You've come a long way."
</p>
<p>
<em>Further than she could imagine,</em>
Jack thought. <em>But how could she know they'd been travelling?</em>
</p>
<p>
Tentatively they sat while she bustled about on the other side of the room. A tall broom was angled against a wall, the kind you would find in a
fairy-tale. An ancient rocking chair swung back and forth as if she'd just got up from it, even though she hadn't been sitting.
</p>
<p>
"Simple fare is all I have," she said, her back to them. "But good food and sure to fatten you up." She turned quickly and beamed at them.
</p>
<p>
Kerry looked at Jack nervously. <em>Fatten us!</em> He mouthed it silently. Jack got the message.
</p>
<p>
Maybe she was just an old woman, but there was something in the way she moved that made her seem somehow <em>powerful, </em>and maybe dangerous too. As she
poured a thick liquid into three stone beakers, a faint scratching noise came from outside.
</p>
<p>
She opened a small shutter and two lithe white animals scurried in. They ran down the wall, landed on her hand and disappeared up her sleeve, fast as rats.
</p>
<p>
"Slink and Slither," she said. "Always up to mischief. You two been a-wandering, have you? Guide our new friends to our hideaway, did you?"
</p>
<p>
Now Jack looked wide-eyed at Kerry. Whatever had howled and snarled in the forest might have been pale, but they were hardly little polecats. They'd been
big and fierce and they had hemmed them in on either side, forcing them to hear in one direction&#8230;straight towards the old woman's home.
</p>
<p>
Megrin deftly sliced a loaf of bread that smelt as if it was fresh from the oven. Despite his misgivings, Jack felt his mouth water and his stomach
grumble.
</p>
<p>
"Go on, go on. Don't stand on ceremony," she urged.
</p>
<p>
The three of them looked suspiciously at the food, each not sure quite what to do.
</p>
<p>
Before any of them moved, the old woman was suddenly behind them, faster than anyone her age should have been able to move. It took them all by surprise.
</p>
<p>
She bent over Corriwen and her long fingers stroked her cheek.
</p>
<p>
"All out of breath you are, my dear." Corriwen tried to turn around, but the gnarled fingers of the other hand had latched on to her shoulder. Jack gauged
the distance to the knives hanging on hooks, ready to move. He and Kerry were already on their feet.
</p>
<p>
"And you're all bent out of shape, are you not?"
</p>
<p>
The red-stained fingers trailed down Corriwen's cheek, on to her neck, then both hands were on her shoulders. They gripped tight, nails digging in hard.
Corriwen yelped.
</p>
<p>
"Leave her alone&#8230;!" The words were out of Kerry's mouth before he could stop himself.
</p>
<p>
The fingers twisted and the blood drained out of Corriwen's face. Jack heard a loud, <em>click </em>and then the old woman's hands moved back to cup <em> </em>Corriwen's cheeks again.
</p>
<p>
Corriwen let out a long shuddery sigh and Megrin beamed at her.
</p>
<p>
"Painful, I know, but better cruel to be kind to fix a wrenched socket." The colour slowly crept back to Corriwen's face.
</p>
<p>
"Back together again, good as new," Megrin said. "Now, first things first. And you might as well sit down and eat, for no harm will come to you under my
roof."
</p>
<p>
Corriwen gingerly rubbed the shoulder, then grinned. She nodded and sat back down. Jack breathed a sigh of relief.
</p>
<p>
"Brave girl," the old woman said softly. "Now, to introductions. I'm Megrin Willow of Foresthaven. I'm good with potions and simples and a few other
things, and this is my place, my wildwood."
</p>
<p>
Taking encouragement from Corriwen's nod, Jack took the lead and they all introduced themselves.
</p>
<p>
"Now eat. And don't worry, there's no potions and you won't turn into frogs overnight, as some people fear. I'm used to that nonsense. Sit a while and fill
yourselves. It's a long time until the dawn, and we have all sorts of matters to discuss and discover."
</p>
<p>
She watched with satisfaction as they fell on the food until there was nothing left but crumbs, then hauled the big pot off the coals, ladled out a broth
as thick as stew and sat on her rocker as they devoured that too.
</p>
<p>
"I was expecting you any moment," she finally said when they'd eaten their fill. "You're far, far from home&#8230;and you have lost what you had, am I
right?"
</p>
<p>
"How do you know?" Jack began.
</p>
<p>
She laughed, a high and tinkly giggle that made her sound much younger than she looked.
</p>
<p>
"Oh, some of us have a knack for knowing," she said. She leaned forward and jutted a red finger at Jack. "I saw you come through the gateway, of course.
You first, and then your friends soon after. And I knew you'd come visiting, sure as day."
</p>
<p>
"We were hunted," Kerry said. "There's <em>things</em> out there. Horrible things chasing us. And then we hid in a village, but they found us and tied us
up. Out in the open."
</p>
<p>
"And that's how this young darling hurt herself," Megrin said. "Quite the heroine, I think."
</p>
<p>
"She sure is," Kerry agreed, with feeling. "Once, when we were in Eirinn, she&#8230;"
</p>
<p>
Jack kicked his ankle. Once Kerry got talking it was hard to rein him in, and Jack needed to know more about this old woman before he told her anything
about themselves or the other worlds they'd visited. Kerry shut up. Megrin seemed not to notice.
</p>
<p>
"Ah well, you've met the <em>Malahain</em>, and not for the first time, I imagine. The people here call them Nightshades. Foul little imps they are. And
you can see that all's not well in Uaine, not when the sun goes down."
</p>
<p>
"The moon turns red and foul," Corriwen said. "like&#8230;" she pointed at Megrin's fingers. "Like blood."
</p>
<p>
Megrin raised both hands, saw the stains and burst into a peal of laughter.
</p>
<p>
"Blood? That's what you thought? No wonder you were all backward about coming forward! What did you think, that I'd butcher you in your boots?"
</p>
<p>
"Something like that," Kerry said, still not quite sure she couldn't. Or wouldn't.
</p>
<p>
"Oh, don't be daft. I've never eaten a boy who didn't deserve it. Not for <em>weeks</em> anyway."
</p>
<p>
Kerry's jaw dropped. Megrin's hand reached out and he cringed back. All she did was ruffle his hair.
</p>
<p>
"Oh, I'm just having my bit of fun, young man. No, my dear, you were a bit earlier than I expected. I was mixing a potion for a wife who's due tomorrow.
She's afraid she might be imp-touched and her baby born a changeling. But that mixture does stain like stink, I can tell you."
</p>
<p>
She rocked back again, still chuckling.
</p>
<p>
"Best laugh I've had in a long time," she said, wiping a tear from her eye. "And you," she pointed at Kerry. "<em>Don't eat me!</em>"
</p>
<p>
Megrin was off again, giggling so helplessly she began to cough and splutter until Jack found the nerve to stand and clap her on the back.
</p>
<p>
Kerry glared. "It's all right for you, in here with the light. But we got chased by ghoullies, caught by nutcases and then hunted by ghoullies all over
again. And then you come sneaking up with your hands all red."
</p>
<p>
She howled with laughter again until tears streamed down both her cheeks.
</p>
<p>
"Oh, I needed that. A good laugh clears the cobwebs. And now, what was I saying?"
</p>
<p>
"When the sun goes down?" Corriwen prompted.
</p>
<p>
"Ah yes, so I was. Well, you've seen for yourselves. Things have come to a pretty pass and that's why I was waiting for you."
</p>
<p>
"For us?" Jack leant forward. He didn't understand what she meant or why she might have been waiting for them.
</p>
<p>
"Of course. I've expected you for some time." She stood up and beckoned them towards a narrow window. Outside, silver beams lanced down. Here in the
clearing, the moon was no longer red and angry.
</p>
<p>
Megrin took a candle from the table, snuffed it out, and let the smoke drift up the clear window pane. Almost immediately their reflections fogged out and
the window became opaque.
</p>
<p>
As if began to clear, despite the dark outside, they could see daylight. Sunlight. And the tall standing stones of the Farward Gate of Uaine.
</p>
<p>
"My window on the world," Megrin said. "I don't often leave Foresthaven. This allows me to see what's happening in the world. And what has happened
before."
</p>
<p>
She breathed on the glass, then drew some curved lines on the condensation before using the heat of the candle to evaporate it.
</p>
<p>
This time the light was different. They watched fascinated as Jack hurtled out from the stones and stumbled to his knees on green grass. Seconds later, the
air between the pillars twisted and spangled and Kerry and Corriwen came tumbling through and bowled him flat.
</p>
<p>
"It's been a while since a traveller came through that gate, and now here you are. Three of you. That means it's time to put on my own travelling cloak."
</p>
<p>
At the mention of a traveller, Jack's heart thumped hard and a multitude of questions leapt into his mind. His father had been a traveller between the
worlds. A <em>Journeyman.</em> Had she seen him? Did she know him?
</p>
<p>
Megrin held a finger to his lips before he could ask.
</p>
<p>
She clasped Jack's arm and drew him closer to the fire. "It's a long story," she said. "But we have the night ahead."
</p>
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<h1>
6
</h1>
<p>
"<em>Thin</em> places," Megrin began.
</p>
<p>
Jack and Kerry exchanged surprised glances. Major Macbeth, Jack's guardian had spoken of the <em>thin places</em> on that first fateful night when their
journey had begun. That night they had fled from the horde of nightshades and come tumbling through the Farward Gate to Temair.
</p>
<p>
Megrin smiled as if she had read their thoughts. Jack wasn't quite sure that she <em>hadn't.</em>
</p>
<p>
"Thin places," she repeated. "Where worlds meet. Where there's always the danger that evil things, things from dark worlds, will try to break through to
bring their shadows with them. A battle that's been fought forever, and always will be, but I imagine you know all this already."
</p>
<p>
Jack and Kerry both nodded tentatively. From what the Major had told them, the thin places where worlds joined could sometimes let evil through. And in
their travels, they had seen evil a-plenty. They waited for her to go on.
</p>
<p>
"The thin place on Uaine was breached some time ago, but we, the <em>Geasan</em> didn't know it then."
</p>
<p>
"What's a Geasan?" Kerry asked.
</p>
<p>
"Oh, the council of enchanters. Those who know the old ways and keep them alive. Anyway, we had our work cut out, believe you me. But the dark forces, and
the nightshades they have unleashed in our summerland, are gaining strength.
</p>
<p>
"And what we need now is another Journeyman," Megrin said quietly. "To do the Sky Queen's work and stand against those dark forces."
</p>
<p>
Jack felt as if he'd been punched in the stomach. She looked him in the eye.
</p>
<p>
"Yes, Jack Flint. <em>Another</em> Journeyman. And that shouldn't surprise you."
</p>
<p>
"I came to find my father," he blurted, unable to hold it back.
</p>
<p>
Now Megrin smiled, but there was sadness in her expression.
</p>
<p>
"You have come a long way, and I don't know if I can help you on that quest. Jonathan Flint. Ah, there was a fine man."
</p>
<p>
Jack's heart began to hammer. He bit his tongue, forcing himself to listen.
</p>
<p>
"I met him and his lady, Lauralen, many years ago. They came to the Summerland, deeply in love, to live a while on the edge of the sea where they could
watch both sunrise and sunset. It was a peaceful time then.
</p>
<p>
"But then, oh then, came foolishness and ambition. Greed and envy, and the thin place in a man's mind was breached, and in came the darkness."
</p>
<p>
"What happened to them?" Jack couldn't hold back. It was the first time he had heard the name Lauralen. Could only be the mother he had never known?
</p>
<p>
"The <em>Journeyman</em> made it his quest to hold the breach. And for a time the evil was thwarted and held at bay. But then something happened, in a very
dark place where even the <em>Geasan </em>cannot see, and Jonathan and his lady, they&#8230;"
</p>
<p>
She paused, searching for the words. "They were no more seen in Uaine."
</p>
<p>
"Like, they vanished?" Kerry asked. Corriwen just listened entranced.
</p>
<p>
"They were never seen again. The <em>Geasan-Eril, </em>the enchanters council<em> </em>have worked long and hard to find out why."
</p>
<p>
"The lady," Jack said almost unable to get the words out through the powerful emotions that flooded him. "Lauralen? Could she have been my&#8230;"
</p>
<p>
"Your mother? Oh, yes. I'm sure of that. You have her grace and your father's eyes.
</p>
<p>
"But what happened? Who&#8230;When?" Questions tumbled in a torrent. Megrin held a hand up.
</p>
<p>
"We'll get to that before dawn, Jack Flint. Now let me do the talking."
</p>
<p>
Megrin sat back in her rocking chair and began to speak. Her voice changed, became deeper and more serious than before:
</p>
<p class="break">
***
</p>
<p>
<em>For a long time, Uaine had been blessed with peace and harmony.</em>
</p>
<p>
<em>
But as night follows day, darkness always opposes the light. In all worlds it has been so, ever since the beginning. Always, the dark seeks thin places
where it can break and wreak its malice. The servants of the Sky Queen use what power they have to hold it at bay.
</em>
</p>
<p>
<em>And when it does break through, the </em>
Journeyman
<em>
is summoned. How, only the Sky Queen knows. She chooses a good man as her champion, and his quest is ever to turn back the dark and preserve the light.
</em>
</p>
<p>
<em>Before he became </em>
Journeyman,
<em>
Jonathan Flint travelled here many years before. A boy not much older than yourself, Jack Flint, on a mission of his own. He came through the Farward
Gate, searching for his friend Thomas Lynn, a boy who had fallen into another world, who knows where. He had sought him in other worlds and would not
give up. Perhaps that was why he was chosen.
</em>
</p>
<p>
<em> </em>
</p>
<p>
Jack and Kerry exchanged another look. The story of Thomas Lynn who had disappeared in Cromwath Blackwood decades ago, and then reappeared dreadfully
injured and completely mad, was a local legend back home. Nobody really believed it was true.
</p>
<p>
<em>
When he returned with his lady, Summer still ruled in Uaine. But not for long. The Copperplates of Uaine, long scattered and hidden in secret places,
has fallen into the wrong hands, and now they have been put back together and used to open the dark way down.
</em>
</p>
<p>
<em>The time has now come to remedy that.</em>
</p>
<p>
Kerry couldn't help himself. "What are the Copperplates?"
</p>
<p>
"One and twenty leaves of a great book, each hidden and protected by a <em>geas, </em>a powerful spell. One and twenty enchantments woven by a <em>Geasan</em> in ages long past, the enchantments that together brought peace and plenty to Uaine."
</p>
<p>
"Don't tell me somebody's nicked them?"
</p>
<p>
She raised her eyebrows in question.
</p>
<p>
"Swiped&#8230;I mean <em>stolen</em> them."
</p>
<p>
"A good guess, Kerry Malone. Someone has indeed&#8230;er, <em>swiped</em> them. The Journeyman took on the quest of bringing them back after night-stalkers
brought their foul mischief. Now Uaine lives in terror of the darkness, and that darkness is spreading ever wider. We fear it will flow over the whole
world like a tide."
</p>
<p>
"So why can't you get these Copperplates back?" Corriwen asked.
</p>
<p>
"Oh, don't think we haven't tried. But the one who found them, and brought them together, he was the most powerful <em>Geasan</em> of us all. Except for
one."
</p>
<p>
"Like a warlock?"
</p>
<p>
"A spellmaker, spellbinder. The seventh son of a seventh son. Once a good man too, but turned and twisted by the power of the Copperplates to dark thoughts
and darker ways. I do know, for I'm the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter. And he is my brother."
</p>
<p>
She sat back and swept her gaze over all three, expecting more questions but they waited for her to speak.
</p>
<p>
"Now here you travellers are."
</p>
<p>
"I came to find my father," Jack said, trying to explain that he had plans of his own, plans that didn't involve Copperplates or spellbinders or anything
else. Yet, somehow, he knew he was about to get sucked into this world's affairs. The Book of Ways had made it clear that he had to pay his passage.
</p>
<p>
"And we came to help him," Corriwen said.
</p>
<p>
"Yeah," Kerry pitched in. "All for one and each for everybody else."
</p>
<p>
"A good sentiment," Megrin said. "Three friends good and true. And on a quest.
</p>
<p>
"We have to go west," Kerry blurted. "The Book of Ways said&#8230;" He looked at Jack, wondering if he'd said too much, but Jack didn't bother trying to
hush him up.
</p>
<p>
"But we lost it," Corriwen broke in. "It guides us and they stole it. And our swords."
</p>
<p>
"And something else?" Megrin asked gently.
</p>
<p>
Jack nodded. "My father's heartstone."
</p>
<p>
"Ah, the fairyglass heart. I wondered if it would come back. And if it's here, then all is not lost. Not by a long way. Not that it's going to be easy,
mind. But that's for tomorrow and the days to come.
</p>
<p>
"Now I've done my share of talking, its your turn. I want to hear your story."
</p>
<p>
Jack began to talk, describing the night of the Halloween party when the creeping dark had swallowed Billy Robbins and then hunted them through the
passageways under the Major's house to Cromwath Blackwood and through the ring of standing stones to Temair.
</p>
<p>
"Then we met Corrie," Kerry said. "And she was in big trouble."
</p>
<p>
They couldn't stop him as he told how they'd fled across Temair, hunted by creatures Jack had only read about in legends, the final apocalyptic clash with
the Morrigan, then the other perils when they found themselves in Eirinn.
</p>
<p>
"And then," Jack said. "I came here to search for my father. I told them to stay behind, because if my father couldn't make it back, then there had to be
something stopping him, something dangerous."
</p>
<p>
He tried to frown, but couldn't.
</p>
<p>
"But they followed me through and first thing we know is there's things in the dark hunting us down and then the villagers caught us and stole the
heartstone and our weapons."
</p>
<p>
"And the Book of ways," Corriwen said. "They said we were evil and tied us up for the nightshades."
</p>
<p>
Jack looked at Megrin. "I <em>have</em> to get the heart back, and the Book of Ways. And I want the sword that Hedda the Scatha made. If I find my father,
he can use it."
</p>
<p>
"If..." Megrin shook her head and got up from her chair.
</p>
<p>
"I think you should get a night's rest by the fire. You've had a hard day."
</p>
<p>
She laid down thick reed mats near the hearth and began to douse the oil-lamp wicks.
</p>
<p>
"Get some sleep and give me some quiet time to think. I have a birthing to attend in the early hours. We'll talk in the morning."
</p>
<p>
She disappeared silently. Jack, Kerry and Corriwen settled down wearily to rest. Very soon they were asleep together by the glow of embers.
</p>
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<h1>
7
</h1>
<p>
Jack woke early from vague dreams where he hunted shadows. Kerry snored lightly, curled up beside the hearth. Corrie smiled in her sleep, hugging herself
tight. Jack wondered what she was dreaming of. He could feel her breath on his cheek.
</p>
<p>
In the quiet of the dawn he thought about what Megrin had told him. His father had been here - might still be. But first, Jack knew he had to recover the
Heartstone. It was the key to all worlds, and somehow Jack knew it was also the key in the search for his father.
</p>
<p>
Kerry snorted and woke with a start. He looked around, bewildered for a moment, then got up and went straight for the cooking pot to help himself to a
ladle of broth.
</p>
<p>
"Where's the wicked witch of the west?"
</p>
<p>
Corriwen stirred, stretched and got up slowly. They breakfasted on the food while they talked about their next move. Jack was adamant.
</p>
<p>
"I'm not going anywhere without what they stole."
</p>
<p>
"It won't be easy," Kerry said.
</p>
<p>
"Nothing ever is," Corriwen said thoughtfully. "But we have met worse difficulties. They might be many, but they are not fighters."
</p>
<p>
"They've got the weapons," Kerry countered.
</p>
<p>
"Then we make our own," Jack said. "We got Corriwen out of Wolfen Castle, remember? We could sneak in to the village."
</p>
<p>
"Rune's boots had magic then," Kerry argued.
</p>
<p>
Corrie clapped him on the shoulder. "If you don't want to come&#8230;.," she teased.
</p>
<p>
Kerry's face went scarlet. "I never said I wasn't coming! I was just pointing out that&#8230;oh, never mind. All for one and that stuff, right?"
</p>
<p>
By mid-morning, when Megrin had not appeared, they set out on their own.
</p>
<p>
In daylight the forest was a haven of sun-dappled glades, a far cry from the threatening shadowed place it had been at night. Searched around a sapling
grove for material for weapons.. Kerry found three smooth stones in the stream and worked carefully to bind them together. Jack had seen him weave
fish-traps and snares back home but it still amazed him how clever and deft he could be. In less than fifteen minutes Kerry held up the stones for
inspection, each dangling from a stout braid of twine. They clacked together.
</p>
<p>
"It's what Connor used. Can't remember what he called it, but it works a treat."
</p>
<p>
He grinned. "Although I still wish I had my sling."
</p>
<p>
Jack was working on his own weapon, bending a piece of ash-wood into a curve. He already had four good arrows made from straight hazel, and although he had
nothing to tip them with, he whittled their ends into points. They might do some damage if they had to. Corriwen had borrowed a big knife and used it to
cut a good length of timber for a staff. She left two stubs of branches at the forked end and cut the base into a point. Jack hadn't witnessed her first
fight on Eirinn when the horsemen had tried to capture Connor, the crippled boy who was the rightful king of Eirinn. When Connor had relayed the story of
how she had used a staff to unseat one of the hunters, he had almost burst with admiration.
</p>
<p>
"Tooled up and ready for anything," Kerry said, swinging his make-shift bolas.
</p>
<p>
"We might not need it," Jack said hopefully. Corriwen spun her staff, said nothing at all, but she had a resolute look in her eye.
</p>
<p>
They moved out from the trees and into rolling pastures. As they passed the first coppice into which they had fled, Jack saw the trees there were in a
sorry state. Leaves wilted, infested with galls and mildew. The smell of rot was rank on the air.
</p>
<p>
"Did we do that?" Kerry asked.
</p>
<p>
"Not us," Jack said. "We didn't know about the barriers, but they seem to work. Whatever these night-shade things are, I don't want them touching any of
us."
</p>
<p>
"At least we know how to protect ourselves," Corriwen said. "We should carry rowan with us always."
</p>
<p>
"And hopefully it works on humans," Kerry added.
</p>
<p>
They made their way carefully until they came a hill from which they could see the village. Everything seemed peaceful and quiet.
</p>
<p>
"We should find somewhere to hide," Jack suggested. "Then sneak in tonight."
</p>
<p>
"How will we find our stuff?" Kerry asked.
</p>
<p>
"We scout around for the head man. He's got our weapons."
</p>
<p>
Silently they sneaked down the hill in single file. They pushed through a hedgerow.
</p>
<p>
And the bull that charged out from a corner of the field put paid to all their plans.
</p>
<p class="break">
***
</p>
<p>
All Jack got was a flicker of movement in the corner of his eye. He jerked around and saw pair of horns, sharp as daggers and as wide as a two-arm span,
were pointed straight at his chest.
</p>
<p>
"Freak&#8230;.." Kerry blurted. Jack slammed Corriwen with his shoulder, tumbling her off to the side. Kerry vanished in a green streak. Everything
blurred.
</p>
<p>
The bull hit the hedge like a train, snapping branches and twigs which flew in all directions. It bellowed as its momentum carried it forward, crashing
almost through the thorns.
</p>
<p>
Kerry was nowhere to be seen. Jack found himself twenty yards away with no clear idea of how he had got there. Corriwen was half-way across the field. The
last time Jack had seen her, she was rolling away on the grass. Now she was on her feet, staff held out and feet braced like a small warrior. Jack backed
towards her, eyes on the bull.
</p>
<p>
It bellowed again, its feet ploughing the earth as it tried to free itself and come at them again, but somehow those big horns had wedged themselves behind
the branches of the thorn-bushes. It shook them in futile fury as it twisted its head from side to side, but stayed stuck fast.
</p>
<p>
"I'm up here," Kerry called. He lowered himself from a thin tree towering above the hedge and let himself drop a fair distance to the ground, bounced
lightly and came running across.
</p>
<p>
"What happened?" Corriwen asked. "You hit me and then I was&#8230;.all of a sudden&#8230;here."
</p>
<p>
"Rune's boots!" Kerry jumped up and down. "The old girl must have fixed them. magicked them back."
</p>
<p>
"But Rune didn't make a pair for me," Corrie said.
</p>
<p>
"Maybe she did something to yours too."
</p>
<p>
"Good old her, then," Kerry's grin was truly ear to ear. "This is totally brilliant."
</p>
<p>
Before he could say anything more, someone bawled on the other side of the hedge. Two men came clambering over a gate, big farming types. One had a
long-handled spade, and the other a hooked blade on a pole. It looked like some kind of harvesting tool.
</p>
<p>
The three of them tried to make a dash for cover, but too late.
</p>
<p>
"It's them <em>fiend-friends.</em>" One farmer cried. "They lived the night."
</p>
<p>
"So much for the element of surprise," Jack muttered. The villagers raised their tools and came charging at them. Flight was the only option.
</p>
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<h1>
8
</h1>
<p>
The noise of pursuit attracted the rest of the villagers as Jack, Kerry and Corriwen came haring down the field, with the two angry farmers in loud,
lumbering pursuit.
</p>
<p>
"Megrin must have done something to the boots," Jack cried. "We've got speed back."
</p>
<p>
"So have I," Corriwen said, keeping pace as they streaked away. "Good magic!"
</p>
<p>
They skidded to a halt beside a pigpen. Somebody had left a scythe against the fence. Kerry snatched it up.
</p>
<p>
"Frying pan and fire spring to mind," he said.
</p>
<p>
Boru, the headman came pushing forward through the crowd, that had gathered, accompanied by several young men. He wore the Scatha's sword on his belt and
walked with a swagger. The young men, who were clearly his sons were each armed with the rest of their weapons: Kerry's sword, Jack's amberhorn bow and
Corriwen's twin knives.
</p>
<p>
The other villagers made the evil-eye signs with their fingers and shrank back. Jack could hear them talk in stage whispers.
</p>
<p>
"How could they have lived the night?"
</p>
<p>
"They truly must be fiend-friend."
</p>
<p>
"Demon-touched, I say. That's the only way they'd survive the nightshades."
</p>
<p>
"Should have killed them first and fed them to their own."
</p>
<p>
The boy with the amberhorn bow fixed an arrow and drew back. Jack stood firm. Even from this distance he could see the chief's son's aim was way off. He
was no archer. Kerry swung the bolas slowly. Corriwen grasped her stave and eyed Boru's sons
</p>
<p>
"Put down your arms," Boru called out. "You'll never get away alive."
</p>
<p>
"Yeah, like you didn't already try to kill us last night!" Kerry's temper was rising already.
</p>
<p>
"We've come for our property," Jack said. "Give it back and we'll go away."
</p>
<p>
Boru drew the Scatha's sword. Jack knew his father had wielded its twin on Temair, before Jack was born, in the first battle with the Morrigan.
</p>
<p>
"These weapons are forfeit," Boru said, swinging the great blade back and forth. "And your lives are too."
</p>
<p>
He took a step forward. His sons spread out to surround the little group.
</p>
<p>
Jack held up the ash bow. "One move and your son gets an arrow in the eye. And for you, I'll send the nightshades. Nightshades that don't care about your
rowan barrier."
</p>
<p>
He turned slightly, gave Kerry a nod. Instantly Kerry understood. He wheeled away, whirling the spade around his head and raced along the barrier, slashing
with the scythe at the upright posts. They splintered like matchwood all along the front of the village. A whole section of the rowan fence lay scattered.
</p>
<p>
The crowd let out a collective gasp. Kerry spun back and placed himself between Jack and Corriwen before anyone had time to react.
</p>
<p>
"Where's your protection now?" Jack asked. "I swear I'll cut all of it before dark, and you'll never get it built in time."
</p>
<p>
Kerry took Jack's lead: "And I can conjure up even worse than that. You've never met the Scree, have you? Or the Fell Runners. And there's huge Cluricauns
that'll suck your eyes out and roast your children."
</p>
<p>
He waved scythe spade theatrically. "And they're all coming for you tonight!"
</p>
<p>
Corriwen suppressed a smile. She started doing a strange little strut, waving her fingers about and chanting in her own tongue.
</p>
<p>
"She's bringing out dayshades," Jack cried. "They're even worse."
</p>
<p>
The crowd fell back further, leaving Boru and his kin standing at the front.
</p>
<p>
"They're not getting this sword," Boru growled through gritted teeth. "I can sell it for two plough-horses at least."
</p>
<p>
Some of the worried villagers protested.
</p>
<p>
"But if they bring the 'shades&#8230;."
</p>
<p>
"Not if they're dead, they won't!"
</p>
<p>
Jack watched as the men argued amongst themselves. The women looked scared. The chief held up the sword.
</p>
<p>
"You want this?" He challenged. "You've no powers in the sunlight,
</p>
<p>
He turned to the strapping lad next to him.
</p>
<p>
"There's but three of them, with a scythe and a toy bow. "
</p>
<p>
"We can take them, Da," his son replied. He wielded Kerry's short-sword, but it was clear he was not used to the weapon. The boy with the bow was still
aiming off to Jack's left.
</p>
<p>
Jack pulled Kerry and Corriwen close and whispered to them. Now he knew he had one advantage that Boru didn't suspect. Kerry passed the scythe to him and
began to swing his bolas. Jack stepped forward. His heart was beating fast, but he knew with the element of surprise gone there was nothing else for it. He
had to have the firestone heart and the Book of Ways, the only inheritance he'd ever had from his father.
</p>
<p>
Boru also took a pace, a broad-shouldered Goliath compared to Jack's slight frame. He glanced contemptuously at the rustic tool.
</p>
<p>
"You think you can, strangeling?"
</p>
<p>
"I can try," Jack said, trying to keep the shake out of his voice. Whatever magic Megrin had wrought as they slept, they now had the speed they needed.
Maybe that was all they had, but it might be enough. Jack crossed his fingers.
</p>
<p>
"Come on then," Boru snarled. "Let's see what you're made of. I'll fillet you where you stand."
</p>
<p>
With that he let out a bellow and charged forward. Kerry suddenly darted off to the right in a brown blur. The motion took Boru by surprise. He
instinctively turned his head. Jack ducked under the swinging blade and jabbed fast with the back of the scythe. It caught Boru hard on the shin.
</p>
<p>
He roared in surprise and pain and Jack was past him in a flash. On his flank, Kerry was a streak of motion. Jack saw the three rocks of the bolas swing up
and he heard sound like a hammer-blow, then the big fellow who had Kerry's sword was down flat.
</p>
<p>
The sword now in Kerry's own hand.
</p>
<p>
Boru hopped about on other leg, then spun very quickly. He grunted with the effort as he hacked wildly. Even as he ducked under the swing, he saw Corriwen
sprint out on the other side and use her staff as a fulcrum. She leapt from the ground like a pole-vaulter and her heels caught two of Boru's sons each on
the chin. Her knives went tumbling away as they staggered back. In an instant she was on her feet and both knives were hers again.
</p>
<p>
There might be outnumbered still, but the odds now were a little better.
</p>
<p>
The sword hissed past Jack's ear. Boru was in mid turn. Without thinking, Jack thrust the scythe between his legs and pulled hard. Boru's feet came off the
ground and he fell with a heavy a thump.
</p>
<p>
But before any of them could react, two of his sons hauled him upright and he launched himself with a roar back into the fight, slashing and hacking
wildly. Jack jinked left and right, forgetting about the other opponents as he dodged the swinging sword.
</p>
<p>
As if in slow motion, he caught the unmistakeable <em>twang</em> of a loosed bowstring. He turned as saw the arrow coming right for his chest.
</p>
<p>
Corriwen shrieked a warning, too late.
</p>
<p>
Boru roared like a bull and the great sword flashed in the sun as it whirled in his hands.
</p>
<p>
For an instant, everything froze in Jack's mind. His feet refused to move as the arrow cut the air, straight and surprisingly true.
</p>
<p>
Jack braced himself for impact.
</p>
<p>
Then the Scatha's sword swung down in front of him. Right over his heart.
</p>
<p>
The deadly arrow hit the blade with a ring of metal and shattered. The lethal barb spun away and stuck into the earth.
</p>
<p>
Boru howled in surprise as the sword jerked out of his two-handed grip, whirred over his head and came down to land point-first between Jack's feet.
</p>
<p>
"Sorcery!" A voice from the crowd showed both awe and fear.
</p>
<p>
Jack grasped the hilt and held the sword high, sensing the power within it.
</p>
<p>
Nobody moved. A strange silence reigned for several minutes as Jack stood there, barely breathing.
</p>
<p>
He swung his eyes across his erstwhile opponents. The boy with the bow very slowly put it down on the ground. Boru was bleeding from his shin and gingerly
rubbing both hands together as if he'd scalded them.
</p>
<p>
"You have seen what we can do," Jack finally spoke up. "We could do worse."
</p>
<p>
"Yeah," Kerry added. "A whole lot worse.-"
</p>
<p>
"Do you really want us to do worse?"
</p>
<p>
A child sobbing in the crowd. A woman called out: "No. Please. Just leave us alone."
</p>
<p>
Jack kept his eyes fixed on Boru."Then give us our belongings and we will go."
</p>
<p>
"And no funny stuff," Kerry said, brandishing his short-sword with obvious relish. "Any tricks and we'll send the Leprechauns tonight, and they're the
worst of all. No kidding!"
</p>
<p>
Boru glowered, still wringing his hands and ignoring the wound on his knee. His eyes were fixed on the magnificent sword but he made no move to retrieve
it.
</p>
<p>
He muttered to his nearest son, who turned back into the village. When he returned with their packs he put them down on the ground in front of them. Kerry
and Corriwen snatched them up fast.
</p>
<p>
"A good decision," she said, as Kerry checked their bags.
</p>
<p>
"The book's here," he said, turning to leave.
</p>
<p>
"And the heart?" Jack asked urgently.
</p>
<p>
Before Kerry could reply a man's hoarse voice broke in.
</p>
<p>
"Fiend-friends in the daylight!"
</p>
<p>
He strode in front of Boru, an apparition in a long tattered cloak, tangled hair hanging down his back. Around his head, a kind of hat woven from evergreen
leaves sat like a crown and dangling from the ragged leathers he wore were small skulls of every sort, hawks and falcons, rabbits and stoats. On his chest
a wildcat skull showed long thin fangs. He carried a long stave decorated with dried bird's claws and rabbits feet and other things Jack couldn't guess at.
</p>
<p>
"What's he?" Kerry asked. "The local scarecrow?"
</p>
<p>
"Or witch-doctor," Jack said.
</p>
<p>
"You know the law, Boru," the strange fellow rasped. "They lived the night, which proves the rule," he croaked. "Kill them all!"
</p>
<p>
He saw the weapons in their hands.
</p>
<p>
"What's this? You gave them back."
</p>
<p>
"No they didn't, rag-a-bones," Kerry shot back. "We took them. Any objections?"
</p>
<p>
Corriwen tried and failed to suppress a giggle.
</p>
<p>
A look of consternation passed across the man's face. He drew himself up to his full scrawny height. In the slight breeze they could smell cow dung and
stale raw-hide. It wasn't pleasant.
</p>
<p>
He glared at Boru. "I don't know what sorcery they worked on you, but it won't work on a spellcaster."
</p>
<p>
He shrugged off the cloak. Immediately Jack saw the black heartstone gleaming on its chain at his neck.
</p>
<p>
"We came for the heart," he said. "Hand it over and we'll go away."
</p>
<p>
The man's gnarled hand grabbed the heart tight. His knuckles went white.
</p>
<p>
"I feel it's power, shade-bringer," he cried. "I will make use of it. What was yours is now mine."
</p>
<p>
Riggon, the village magician, held up his skull-staff. "Begone strangelings, before I cast a curse<em> </em>on you."
</p>
<p>
"Do your worst, ragged arse," Kerry cried. "You couldn't scare a mouse."
</p>
<p>
"Come on Jack, let's grab the heart and get out of here."
</p>
<p>
He stepped forward; Jack and Corriwen did the same. Riggon held up the staff and began a low guttural chant, shaking the dry bones. As he did so, the air
around them seemed to thicken, the way it had done in the Black Barrow on Temair before they came face to face with the nightmare of the Morrigan.
</p>
<p>
"What the heck&#8230;?" Kerry's voice sounded thick and glutinous.
</p>
<p>
Jack took another step and it felt as if he was wading in deep water. The great sword suddenly felt heavy and awkward. It was difficult to breathe. One
more step and the water felt like treacle, cloying around him, weighing him down.
</p>
<p>
Riggon's face began to waver as if seen through rough glass.
</p>
<p>
Jack saw a dark shape pass in front of him.
</p>
<p>
It took Jack a second to recognise old Megrin in her black cowl and long shawl. She was bent with age and her fingers grasped a sturdy stick.
</p>
<p>
As soon as she passed, the strange thickness in the air vanished completely. Jack finished his step, almost sprawled forward. Close by, he heard Kerry
curse very sincerely.
</p>
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<h1>
9
</h1>
<p>
"A magician's trick," Megrin said. "Simple, not bad for a beginner."
</p>
<p>
The ragged man reeled back as if struck
</p>
<p>
"It's Old Meg-o-the-woods." A woman in the crowd broke a sudden silence.
</p>
<p>
"That was no trick, crone. I am <em>Grisan</em> here. The spellcaster."
</p>
<p>
"Grisan, eh," Megan cackled. "And what's your name, son?"
</p>
<p>
Riggon's face seemed to swell with anger. He raised his skull rattle and shook it vigorously. A hush went around the crowd yet again.
</p>
<p>
Megrin stepped towards him, completely unfazed.
</p>
<p>
"You better put that away before you do yourself a mischief. Can't have beginners playing about with earthy magic. Oh, and what's that smell? You never
heard of washing?"
</p>
<p>
"Beginner? Me, a <em>beginner</em>? Who are you to call me a beginner, old woman? I am Riggon the spellcaster. I could turn you into a toad. Or worse.
</p>
<p>
Megrin cackled again, this time with laughter. Somebody in the crowd giggled nervously.
</p>
<p>
"You would turn me into a toad? I could do better than that. I could make you smell like a man and not reek like a pig in a sty. But it might be hard work.
I've smelt dungheaps more fragrant."
</p>
<p>
This time the laughter was more natural. It rippled through the gathering.
</p>
<p>
Kerry stepped forward, sword drawn. Jack and Corriwen were right beside him and ready to act.
</p>
<p>
Riggon held up the heartstone on its chain. "I'll use this," he cried. "It has power!"
</p>
<p>
He spun on his heel to face the villagers. It took a second for him to realise their eyes were fixed behind him. He turned back and his eyes opened so wide
they could have popped out.
</p>
<p>
Around Megrin's feet, grass, twigs and leaves were spinning off the ground. A sudden wind moaned, whipping her tattered shawl and cowl.
</p>
<p>
Megrin began to straighten from her stooped posture. Jack felt Corriwen's hand grip his arm.
</p>
<p>
Riggon raised the heartstone and shook his charm-stick again.
</p>
<p>
But Megrin kept, uncoiling until, amazingly, she towered over the ragged shaman.
</p>
<p>
Her hood fell back and even Kerry gasped in amazement when he saw her hair that had been straggly and grey, become long and straight and gleaming silver
down her back. Her tattered shawl flapped in the wind, shedding scraps of material until it was torn away. Now Megrin stood before them in a long cloak
that could have been made of summer gossamer with a fur hood of pure white.
</p>
<p>
The old gnarled stick in her hand had become a slender carved staff, as tall as Megrin herself, richly polished.
</p>
<p>
The transformation took everybody by surprise, not least the ragged man whose feet seemed welded to the ground, his mouth opening and closing wordlessly.
</p>
<p>
She turned to Jack who was flanked by Kerry and Corriwen. Then she winked at them.
</p>
<p>
Megrin fixed Riggon with emerald eyes. She didn't move, but in an instant he was squealing like a piglet.
</p>
<p>
And the fingers of his hand began to smoke and melt.
</p>
<p>
His hand jerked up. The heartstone went flying into the air.
</p>
<p>
Two pure white shapes came plummeting down. All Jack heard was a whirr of feathers as a pair of goshawks, white as snow, snatched the heartstone's chain
from the air, banked their wings and soared towards him. Their talons opened and the heartstone was softly draped on his neck.
</p>
<p>
He felt whole again.
</p>
<p>
"Neat. Absolutely neat, man," Kerry said, to nobody in particular. Corriwen still held Jack's wrist.
</p>
<p>
Megrin stood tall and silent, silver hair catching the sunlight. Riggon got to his feet, his right hand hooked into a claw.
</p>
<p>
"Witch woman!" He backed away from her, but still shook the skulls in her direction. She still said nothing for a moment, then pointed a long finger at
him.
</p>
<p>
She swept her gaze along the crowd of villagers. "Some of you know me. The old ones. Your mothers knew me. I am Megrin Wildwillow of Foresthaven.
</p>
<p>
"And I am the <em>Geasan, </em>who has watched over you since before your father's father's father was a child. The <em>Geasan</em> always keep watch."
</p>
<p>
She put both hands on her hips and shook her head, like an exasperated mother scolding children.
</p>
<p>
"You should have come to me before, rather than listen to the prattle of this prancing pile of rags."
</p>
<p>
She tossed her hair contemptuously: "This will keep the shades at bay a while."
</p>
<p>
Her right hand came up and pointed directly at the Shaman yet again.
</p>
<p>
"Root and grow. Root and <em>branch</em>."
</p>
<p>
Riggon stopped dead as if his feet had suddenly stuck to the earth. He looked down at them and as he did, a small boy in the crowd pointed at him.
</p>
<p>
"His hat Ma. See his hat!"
</p>
<p>
Every eye followed. Riggon stood paralysed. For a moment, the hat of twisted rowan fronds seemed to have turned into a circlet of writhing snakes but then
it became clear that the woven twigs were sending out new shoots. In an instant, they had covered Riggon's face, except for his gaping eyes, then grew down
in thin tendrils, over his shoulders, wrapping around and along his arms, and snaking round the stick and its skulls.
</p>
<p>
As all eyes watched, his toes elongated like burrowing worms and drilled themselves between the blades of grass and pebbles, forcing the surface to heave
and clump as they rooted themselves ever deeper.
</p>
<p>
His outstretched arms, encased now in leaves, were flung out on either side, expanding as they reached for the edges of rowan barrier that had encircled
the village.
</p>
<p>
As soon as the green leaves touched the first upright, new buds swelled up its entire length, burst and let bright springtime leaves unfurl and the magic
continued along the crosspiece, down the other post. The slender barrier of branches took root and burst into life yard by yard until it completely
surrounded the whole village.
</p>
<p>
Megrin finally lowered her hand. "There, that should do it," she said. Kerry couldn't help himself. He just started clapping his hands together in wild
applause, watched by the terrified villagers who stood, mouths agape.
</p>
<p>
Megrin took two spaces towards the assembly. They all shrank back in alarm.
</p>
<p>
"Oh, behave yourselves!" Megrin said impatiently. "Now you've got real protection. A living wall, which the <em>shades</em> won't cross. And you won't need
any amateur skull-shaking to keep you safe."
</p>
<p>
She paused, began to turn away, then faced them again. "You did my young friends a great disservice. Think on that when travellers seek refuge and safety.
Welcome them and succour them in days to come&#8230;
</p>
<p>
"&#8230;unless you want me to wither your rowan hedge."
</p>
<p>
"Oh no, please!" A woman's thin voice cried.
</p>
<p>
The crowd all looked at Boru, expecting some action from their head-man.
</p>
<p>
He coughed and shuffled forward. "Yes&#8230;.my lady. We will turn none away."
</p>
<p>
"See that you don't. And if you are tempted to be inhospitable to the traveller, remember your spellcaster<em>.</em> Think on that."
</p>
<p>
And with that she turned her head and walked away, summoning Jack, Corriwen and Kerry with a brief nod of her head.
</p>
<p>
"Now come on, young friends. We have a meeting to attend and a long way to travel."
</p>
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<p>
10
</p>
<p>
Jack tugged at Megrin's sleeve when they caught up with her on the road heading west.
</p>
<p>
"Where are you going?" he asked.
</p>
<p>
"With you, of course," she replied. "Don't you have a quest?"
</p>
<p>
"You don't have to come with us. We know which way to go." Jack didn't want to sound ungrateful for her help or her hospitality, but he was reluctant to
draw anyone else into his search. Already Kerry and Corriwen had faced dangers on his behalf.
</p>
<p>
"Ah," Megrin responded. "Will you know what to do when you get there?"
</p>
<p>
She stopped on the road and looked down into his eyes. "You will be a good journeyman, Jack Flint, and a good journeyman takes help when it's offered. We
all do the Sky Queen's work."
</p>
<p>
"I just want to find my father," Jack said. "I don't want anybody else to get hurt."
</p>
<p>
Now Megrin smiled. "Good for you. A nice thought. But your quest is more than you think. It is bound with Uaine's future and the righting of wrong. As is
mine. Uaine is <em>my </em>world, and Bodron is <em>my </em>brother. I would not have you and Kerry and Corriwen face him without my help."
</p>
<p>
She patted him on the shoulder. "If you could find him, that is. He'll hide himself well."
</p>
<p>
Before Jack could respond, Kerry interrupted.
</p>
<p>
"Are you just going to leave him like that?" he asked. "The witchdoctor guy?"
</p>
<p>
Megrin turned. They were only a mile out from the village and the green barrier of living trees could still be clearly seen.
</p>
<p>
"Oh, for a while anyway." She smiled mischievously. "This way he can do some good and no mischief."
</p>
<p>
As they walked alongside her Jack noticed that the gossamer cloak and white fur hood were slowly darkening to the drab colours she had worn when they first
met her. But she wasn't bent like an old woman any more, and she walked with a determined air, using her carved staff like a hiker. Sometimes, from the
corner of his eye, Jack got the impression that she was skimming over the ground, rather than treading it.
</p>
<p>
"What's happened to your cloak?" Corriwen was curious.
</p>
<p>
Megrin smiled again. "That was just for show, you know. But you wouldn't expect me to travel in my summer best, would you? I prefer to slip into something
more comfortable.
</p>
<p>
A few moments before, the hood was still discernible, but now Jack could see it was gradually transforming itself into an old shawl which covered her hair,
and was tucked into the front of her long dark coat.
</p>
<p>
As they walked, Jack marvelled at how quickly they covered distance. The farmland gave way to moor and then hills which rose ever steeper as the road
carried them higher, until they were walking in low clouds. Here, the air was cold and damp and a wind picked up, driving rain and sleet into their faces.
</p>
<p>
They were hungry and tired when Megrin called a halt. Jack saw they were on a windswept summit where three standing stones formed the legs of a colossal
table, bearing a wide flat capstone in weather-worn granite. Beyond, where the sun was slowly sinking towards the horizon, the sky was a dark smudge on the
horizon, the same purple shade they had seen in the night when the moon turned to angry red and the shadows came oozing out from dark places.
</p>
<p>
She herded them towards the shelter. Jack held back, eyeing the megalith with suspicion.
</p>
<p>
"Do you plan to brave the wind and sleet alone tonight?"
</p>
<p>
"I'm wary of standing stones," he said. "Every time we go through them we end up in trouble."
</p>
<p>
"I'm with Jack on that," Kerry said. Corriwen nodded her agreement.
</p>
<p>
Megrin chuckled, stooping to get under the capstone, and took her shawl off, letting her silver hair spill down her shoulders.
</p>
<p>
"That's the Faery Gates you're talking about. The gates <em>between.</em>" She beckoned them to join her. "This is a <em>Bor-Dion,</em> as they say in the
old tongue, a resting place carved from the hill and set here to shelter the weary."
</p>
<p>
Jack stepped forward. As soon as he was under the capstone the wind died, although, beyond the massive pillars he could see the tussock-grass and heather
bent almost flat by its force. He allowed himself to relax and the cold began to seep out of his bones.
</p>
<p>
"They built well, the old people," Megrin said. "And cast their <em>geas</em> to ward off harm."
</p>
<p>
"I'm just glad to be out of the freakin weather," Kerry said, slumping down on the dry earth beside a small circle of stones where previous travellers had
lit a fire. "It's like being back home in Scotland in winter. All drizzle and sleet"
</p>
<p>
He looked at Jack: "I'm frozen stiff. I thought this was supposed to be the summerland!"
</p>
<p>
"Uaine <em>is</em> the summerland," Megrin interjected. "But you know that all is not well here. The time has come to rectify that. If we can."
</p>
<p>
Kerry set about gathering wind-blown leaves and twigs which he crumpled together in the old hearth. Corriwen shook the rain from her hair and laid her
cloak out to dry.
</p>
<p>
"Where are we going?" Jack asked. "And what are we supposed to do?"
</p>
<p>
Kerry flicked his little lighter to try to set the damp leaves alight. The flame flared out like a blowlamp again and he yelped as it scorched his thumb.
</p>
<p>
"Why don't you consult that book of yours?" Megrin replied. "It's led you on the right path so far."
</p>
<p>
Jack wasn't surprised she knew of the Book of Ways. There was a lot more to Megrin than he had suspected at first. He squatted down and drew the ancient
book from his pack.
</p>
<p>
Kerry cursed under his breath and sucked his thumb, unable to set fire to the wet leaves. Megrin glanced across at him, frowned, then closed her eyes for a
moment. She pointed a long finger at the unpromising pile of kindling and when she opened her eyes again, Jack saw them flash brightly for a mere fraction
of a second.
</p>
<p>
Something <em>whickered</em> past him, an invisible twist in the air. He felt it clearly on his cheek, like a hot breath of dry wind. The firewood burst
into flame with a sudden <em>whoosh.</em>
</p>
<p>
Kerry jerked back with a cry of alarm and fell hard with his feet in the air, frantically rubbing at his eyes. Looked up at Megrin who still stood with her
finger pointing.
</p>
<p>
"You've burnt my eyebrows right off," he yelled. "You could have blinded me!"
</p>
<p>
Corriwen burst into peals of laughter. As Kerry rolled on the ground she slumped against Jack, helpless with mirth. Tears streamed down her face and he
felt her convulse against him. It was the first in a long time that Jack had heard her really laugh.
</p>
<p>
"Oh stop," she cried, when she managed to get a breath. "I can't take any more!"
</p>
<p>
Kerry pulled his hands away from his eyes, glared up at them: "And what are you laughing at?"
</p>
<p>
Jack felt the laughter bubbled up inside him until his knees started to shake and he could take Corriwen's weight no longer. They sagged to the ground,
holding on to each other.
</p>
<p>
"There's nothing funny in getting blinded," Kerry snorted. "Freakin' witchy magic!"
</p>
<p>
But that only set them off again until they were both knotted in a heap, unable to stop.
</p>
<p>
"A pair of kids, so you are," Kerry said. "We're supposed to be on serious business here!"
</p>
<p class="break">
***
</p>
<p>
When the laughter began to subside, Jack sat up and rubbed his eyes. Every now and then Corriwen would give a little giggle which she was unable to
suppress, even when she clamped a hand over her mouth.
</p>
<p>
"OK, OK," Jack said. "I'm laughed out and my stomach's sore."
</p>
<p>
"Yeah, very funny," Kerry said. He looked up at Megrin who seemed to have caught the laughter infection and couldn't hrlp but smile. "Next time you should
give me some warning instead of blowing me to smithereens."
</p>
<p>
"I'll try to remember, Master Kerry," she said as she opened a little cloth bag and produced some of the bread and meat left over from the night before.
"Now, about that serious business&#8230;."
</p>
<p>
Jack held the Book of Ways in both hands as the leather cover opened slowly and the pages purred until they stopped at a blank page. The words began to
appear. Megrin leant over them as they huddled to read.
</p>
<p class="centered">
Road now leads to ring of power
</p>
<p class="centered">
Ever on to shadow glower
</p>
<p class="centered">
Heroes may be tested sore
</p>
<p class="centered">
Journeyman returns once more.
</p>
<p class="centered">
Heed the wise, yet follow heart
</p>
<p class="centered">
Journeyman must then depart
</p>
<p class="centered">
To face the weird of evil bane
</p>
<p class="centered">
Ever on to madness reign.
</p>
<p>
When they were done, Jack let the book close in his hands.
</p>
<p>
"It doesn't look good," he said.
</p>
<p>
"It never did before," Corriwen said, as brightly as she could, but both Jack and Kerry could read her. She knew there was trouble ahead, but she was ready
to meet it. "And aren't we still whole?"
</p>
<p>
"I don't like this madness thing," Kerry said. "And I don't want to be tested sore again."
</p>
<p>
Jack managed a smile. "I told you to stay behind. This is <em>my </em>problem."
</p>
<p>
"Ah, how much you must learn, Jack Flint," Megrin interrupted. "I saw you all come through the gate a long time ago. The three of you as one. There's power
in the number, the unshakeable triangle."
</p>
<p>
"It's like I keep telling them," Kerry said. "All for one and each for everybody else! But I still don't like this madness thing. I don't like mad folk."
</p>
<p>
Megrin ushered them round the fire and they sat around its glow, breaking off generous hunks of meat and bread. Megrin waited patiently until they had
eaten their fill. The fire would die down every now and again but she would gesture with her fingers and it would flare hot again. Kerry remained wary, but
somehow he managed to anticipate her and pulled back from the hearth. Though she tried, Corriwen failed to hide her mirth.
</p>
<p>
"This ring of power," Jack said, thinking about what they had just read. "It sounds like something in a book I once read. It was a magic ring that made you
invisible. Do you know what the ring is?"
</p>
<p>
"I do," Megrin said. "And it is not the kind of ring that will fit your finger. It's our destination. I knew that before your book told you. It is where I
am supposed to take you&#8230;first."
</p>
<p>
"And then what?" Kerry wanted to know.
</p>
<p>
"Then, if you are still as determined as you seem to be, we will go into the unknown."
</p>
<p>
"If it helps me find my father, I'll go anywhere," Jack asserted. "The Book says <em>the journeyman returns once more.</em> So where he's gone, that's
where I'm going."
</p>
<p>
Without explanation, Corriwen gave Jack a quick, tight hug. "And we're with you."
</p>
<p>
"Me too," Kerry agreed. "Though I still don't like this madness stuff."
</p>
<p>
"Well said, all three!" When Megrin smiled, she didn't look at all like an old woman.
</p>
<p class="break">
***
</p>
<p>
It was warm and dry under their shelter, and the fire stayed hot in the hearth.
</p>
<p>
Outside, night fell quickly and the moon shone down on them, silvering the ancient stone pillars. But when Kerry excused himself stepped out of the shelter
not long after sunset, he returned with a puzzled expression on his face.
</p>
<p>
"The moon's all red again," he said.
</p>
<p>
Jack and Corriwen looked up, exchanged glances, then turned to Kerry.
</p>
<p>
"I mean, out <em>there</em> it's gone all bloody. From in here it's just the same as usual."
</p>
<p>
"The old stones protect us," Megrin explained. She stood between two pillars and raised her hands to shoulder height in front of her. Jack thought he saw
two white shapes flutter out into the dark, but couldn't be sure.
</p>
<p>
"A little extra protection won't go amiss," she said. "Now, it's time to rest, for we have a journey in the morning."
</p>
<p>
She settled down, huddled herself into her cloak and became as still as stone. The three travellers crouched by the fire, tired, but unable to sleep yet.
Corriwen sat and used her leather belt to strop her blades until they gleamed.
</p>
<p>
"I'm glad she's on our side," Kerry said, nodding towards where Megrin was sitting. "Gave me a fright at first, but she's pretty cool."
</p>
<p>
"Apart from burning your eyebrows off," Corriwen said, keeping her face straight.
</p>
<p>
Jack leant back against the pillar, absently cradling the heartstone in his hand, listening to them banter back and forth, and soon the voices faded and he
fell into a sleep.
</p>
<p class="break">
***
</p>
<p>
He jerked awake suddenly, his heart hammering. The heartstone throbbed. For a moment he was bewildered, unable to comprehend where he was. Kerry and
Corriwen were huddled together by the fire, and Megrin was still a shadow.
</p>
<p>
Out in the dark, something grunted, so low it felt like a tremble in the ground and Jack's skin puckered all down his spine. Slowly he eased himself round
the pillar and looked out into the night.
</p>
<p>
The two white wolves were back, white hackles bristling in stiff quills, pacing a perimeter barely a hundred paces away from where Jack crouched.
</p>
<p>
Beyond, the night was dark, but reddened by a faint glow from the angry moon, and in its shadows, other shadows loped and squirmed in a heaving mass. Now
and then, yellow eyes would blare in the dark.
</p>
<p>
The image of those eyes hunting him through the darkwood came back all of a sudden and he held tight to the heartstone.
</p>
<p>
But the white wolves padded back and forth, back and forth, silent as ghosts, and the nightshades came no closer.
</p>
<p>
Jack shrank back, wishing to see no more.
</p>
<p>
Megrin spoke in a whisper, and her voice startled him.
</p>
<p>
"This is just the beginning," she said. "We are on the far edge of what is to come. Worse things will face you."
</p>
<p>
"That's what the Book of Ways said," Jack murmured, his heart quailing at the thought of what might be worse than those terrifying things. "It's never
wrong."
</p>
<p>
"And you still want to go on?"
</p>
<p>
"I <em>must</em> go on," he replied. "I've come this far."
</p>
<p>
"You have a brave heart, Jack Flint. A journeyman's son. A journeyman now."
</p>
<p>
The heartstone pulsed slowly and he laid his hand on the hilt of the Scatha's great sword. A small vibration ran through his nerves, and he felt comforted.
</p>
<p>
"Nothing can breach the <em>Bor-dion</em>," Megrin said. "Not even the nightshades. And we are well guarded until morning."
</p>
<p>
In the dark, she reached out and touched Jack's cheek. Her hand felt warm and soft. Like the hand of a mother, he thought, even though he had never known
that touch. It soothed his apprehension.
</p>
<p>
Soon he was fast asleep.
</p>
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<h1>
11
</h1>
<p>
"Now is the time to tell you more," Megrin said. "So you know what you might be up against."
</p>
<p>
The morning was bright and clear as Jack, Kerry and Corriwen listened intently. The four travellers had shared the bread and meat and drank clear water
from an ice-cold rivulet, sitting around the hearth stones.
</p>
<p>
"My brother Bodron was once a good man," Megrin said. "And as adept a spellbinder as I ever knew. He was a leader among the council of enchanters, the <em>Geasan-eril. </em>But if he had a flaw, it was that he wanted <em>more.</em>"
</p>
<p>
"He was always seeking new ways, always wanting to be perfect, to be the <em>best.</em> As if being a <em>Geasan </em>is a contest, like wresting and
racing. Nobody knows on whom the Sky Queen will bestow her gifts, nor why. The <em>Geasan </em>are what we are, and we do what we do.
</p>
<p>
"Ambition can become a <em>thin place </em>for the dark to break through, and I am afraid my brother Bodron's ambition developed a crack that grew ever
wider under the force of dark tides. Through that fissure a shadow power slipped through to Uaine.
</p>
<p>
"As I told you, the Copperplates, the one and twenty spells, were hidden after the great binding spell was complete. Together, made Uaine the summerland of
peace and tranquillity. But for every good, there is an evil.
</p>
<p>
"Bodron kept secret his quest for the Copperplates, but he them out all across Uaine.
</p>
<p>
"I don't get it," Kerry interrupted. "If these spells made everything good, why would they have to be hidden. Wouldn't they make things better now?"
</p>
<p>
"So you might think," Megrin agreed. "But if I were to make a mixture of henbane and milkwort and a few other things, then it might help a woman who wants
a child. Yet if I mix the ingredients in a different way, then I could make a poison that would kill a man dead. It is all in the <em>weave. </em>That's
the way with great enchantments. Each has to fit with the other in the right way. Bring them together in other ways, and bad things can happen. And we of
the <em>Geasan</em> fear the worst."
</p>
<p>
"What would be the worst?" Corriwen asked.
</p>
<p>
"The worst would be if the Copperplate spells were woven in such a way that they would undo all the good they have done and open a way for dark forces to
break through and cast an evil shadow over Uaine."
</p>
<p>
"I saw shadows last night," Jack said. "They were <em>alive.</em>"
</p>
<p>
"They are just manifestations of the dark forces," Megrin said. "What we fear is that what created them might break through. Something very old and very
evil."
</p>
<p>
Her face was suddenly filled with concern and sadness.
</p>
<p>
"I fear my brother has opened the <em>Dark Way</em>."
</p>
<p>
"The Dark Way to where?"
</p>
<p>
"To the lands of the lost. The underworld. The realm of the damned."
</p>
<p class="break">
***
</p>
<p>
From the slope of the final hill, the great circle below them was impressive, even at a distance. Despite the sunshine, far in the west, the purple smudge
on the horizon still swelled and contracted like a vast heart.
</p>
<p>
It was the circle, however, that grabbed their attention. It sat on a flat, green plain, like an arena that dominated the landscape. Jack shaded his eyes
and studied it. Small figures moved close to great pillars, which gave him an idea of its size.
</p>
<p>
It had not been there when they breasted the rise. Jack knew that for certain. The plain had stretched away unbroken towards a far ridge. At first, the
dark tide in the distance had held his attention, but as they began to descend something shimmered in Jack's peripheral vision.
</p>
<p>
When he looked directly at it, he saw nothing at all. He half turned and again, the shimmering was there, in peripheral vision, like a sliver of glass
catching the light.
</p>
<p>
Corriwen noticed it too. She kept turning her head, pausing, then looking back.
</p>
<p>
"Something's there," she whispered. "But it eludes me."
</p>
<p>
But further they descended, the more solid the image became, condensing, it seemed from the very air until finally they were close enough for a shape to
materialise, like a mirage, in the middle of the plain where no shape had been before.
</p>
<p>
Tall brown pillars were set in a wide circle, roofed in what looked, from their vantage point, like thick turf. By the time they were half-way down the
hill, the apparition seemed solid, rooted in the earth, as if it had stood there a long time.
</p>
<p>
As they descended, the more solid the image became, as if condensing out of the air.
</p>
<p>
"What is that?" Kerry asked.
</p>
<p>
"Our destination&#8230;for today," Megrin said. She had declined to elaborate any further on what she had said in the morning about her brother and the
Dark Way. They had covered a lot of ground, not stopping to rest at the other <em>Bor-dion</em> shelters they had passed on their travels, and as they
moved ever westwards, the heartstone's beat gathered strength. That told Jack they were getting closer to danger, but he didn't need the heartstone to tell
him that. They all knew it.
</p>
<p>
They just didn't know exactly <em>what</em> the danger would be.
</p>
<p>
"I thought it might be," Kerry said. "But what <em>is</em> it?"
</p>
<p>
"It's where the <em>Geasan-Eril </em>sits."
</p>
<p>
Corriwen nodded. "The Council of Enchanters."
</p>
<p>
"So that's what the Book meant," Jack said. "<em>The Road now leads to ring of power.</em>"
</p>
<p>
"You mean that place is full of wizards and warlocks and the like?" Kerry seemed to like that idea.
</p>
<p>
Megrin laughed. "Wait and find out, Kerry Malone. This is the first time the <em>Geasan-Eril </em>have met for a long time. What they - and we - decide
will determine the future of Uaine. And yours."
</p>
<p>
"I could have guessed that," Jack said under his breath. Corriwen took his hand and held it tight as they walked towards the circle, not knowing what to
expect or what they were supposed to do.
</p>
<p class="break">
***
</p>
<p>
Jack could feel pure power radiate from the place. The heartstone now shivered against him-. The hilt of the great sword tingled in his grip. The hairs on
his arms stood on end and goose-bumps tickled up and down his spine.
</p>
<p>
"Do you feel it?" Corriwen asked.
</p>
<p>
"It's like electric pylons," Kerry said. Corriwen looked at him for an explanation, but she had come to except there were things in their world she could
never understand. "When you walk under them on a wet day you can hear them sizzle. It's making my skin crawl. And one of my fillings is giving me
toothache."
</p>
<p>
"It is magic," she said. "Real magic."
</p>
<p>
"Hey Jack, remember that big Vandergraf generator in school? The one that made your hair stand up&#8230;.?"
</p>
<p>
Jack wasn't listening. His eyes followed Megrin. She seemed to glide over the grass of the plain and her ragged shawl and coat were changing again,
lightening in the sunshine. A half-smile played on her lips and her attention was focussed so completely on what was ahead of them that she seemed unaware
of anything else.
</p>
<p>
"The power." Corriwen pointed to the vast pillared circle. "It's coming from there. And from Megrin too."
</p>
<p>
It was only when they were within a few hundred yards that they saw this was no edifice, enchanted or otherwise, standing on the plain. It was indeed a
ring, a ring of ancient trees, straight and tall, with bark as red as Scots pine and muscular roots dug deep into the earth. Branches high overhead tangled
and twisted together so thickly that they formed an almost solid roof, save for a few places where shafts of sunlight speared through.
</p>
<p>
Between the great trunks, at first glance, it looked as if the roof were suspended on a scaffold of pure light.
</p>
<p>
They stopped to marvel.
</p>
<p>
"It's like Stonehenge," Jack said. "Except it's been planted."
</p>
<p>
They paused in front of two giant trees. Their bark was gnarled with thick burrs which formed strange shapes like carvings, and protrusions that in some
places looked like faces eroded by years.
</p>
<p>
"It's like the ring in Cromwath Blackwood," Kerry said, impressed. "But bigger. Much bigger."
</p>
<p>
Corriwen reached to lay a hand on a buttressed root. Jack saw the bark flex and ripple and Corrie jerked her hand back as if she'd been burned.
</p>
<p>
She turned wide eyes on them. "It's alive," she said. "Like Sappeling Wood."
</p>
<p>
For a second, Jack expected to see one of the face-shapes turn towards him and for great brown eyes to creak open and regard him, the way the Leprechauns
had in the deep forest of Temair. The trunk swelled almost imperceptibly, then subsided, as if the tree had taken a long, slow breath.
</p>
<p>
The heartstone sang a pure, high note and he stopped dead, unable to take another step.
</p>
<p>
It was as if he'd walked into a soft, yet impenetrable barrier. Electricity seemed to crackle all around him.
</p>
<p>
A voice whispered in his mind.
</p>
<p>
"Who enters, traveller?" It sounded as if it sang, as soft as a breeze. "And what do you seek?"
</p>
<p>
He felt as if he was gently pushed backwards. Kerry was still walking forward and crashed into him. He reeled back, holding his nose. Corriwen caught him
before he fell.
</p>
<p>
Jack's hand was on the heartstone. It was warm now, almost hot to the touch, as if the power in the air was somehow charging it up.
</p>
<p>
"Jack&#8230;" he said without speaking, unable to prevent himself. "Jack Flint."
</p>
<p>
The warm voice embraced him again. "You are known here&#8230;.. Journeyman."
</p>
<p>
The great tree nearest him shuddered, and a stream of scented pine needles showered down in a green blizzard. Megrin turned, now dressed in her white
cloak, her staff straight once more and intricately carved. She smiled at him, then beckoned him forward.
</p>
<p>
There was a gentle sound, like wet fabric tearing, and a strange rubbery sensation as whatever invisible barrier had held him now gave way.
</p>
<p>
He walked in to the vast living arena with Corriwen and Kerry close behind.
</p>
<p>
Megrin was ahead of them, now walking slowly, beyond the opening space. Jack took two strides to follow her. She held her hand out to Jack and clasped his
fingers.
</p>
<p>
"You feel the power," she said. "It called to me. This is home to me and mine. It welcomes you with kindness."
</p>
<p>
"It's like Cromwath Blackwood," Jack whispered. "Much bigger when you're inside."
</p>
<p>
Yet despite the tingling on his skin, Jack felt none of the kind of threat they had sensed inside the walled forest back home, when they had first run from
the creeping dark and found themselves inside the ring of stones.
</p>
<p>
The heartstone was singing its soft note, but it seemed to resonate in harmony with this place, as if it too, had found a home.
</p>
<p>
"I heard it," Jack said. "It spoke inside my head."
</p>
<p>
"I never heard anything," Kerry said, both hands clapped his face. "I nearly busted my nose on the back of your head. I'm still seeing stars!"
</p>
<p>
Megrin winked at him, touched his nose with one finger. Kerry jerked back as if he'd been stung, then a big smile spread across his face.
</p>
<p>
"All better now?"
</p>
<p>
Kerry dabbed gingerly, then rubbed at where his nose had taken a knock`. "Much better."
</p>
<p>
There was not a breath of wind inside this magical amphitheatre, yet the heady fragrance of summer blossom hung in the air. And it was like a vast pillared
hall. From outside, it was just a ring of trees. Inside, the forest seemed to stretch forever.
</p>
<p>
They followed Megrin past gleaming pillars of light that sparkled with pollen, and straight trunks that reached for a canopy that was now hidden from view.
A clear crystal stream burbled past as they crossed a fairy bridge until at last they came to a second ring of trees and Megrin stopped.
</p>
<p>
Beyond her, Jack saw the circle of shivering aspens, silver leaves dancing in unison.
</p>
<p>
And inside the circle, gauzy shapes drifted like phantoms, as if they floated in mist.
</p>
<p>
"I must leave you here now," Megrin said. "I can't take you further unless the <em>Eril </em>decides."
</p>
<p>
She pointed to the stream and to the red and purple berries that swelled on a low shrub overhanging the water.
</p>
<p>
"Eat and drink," she said. "Get your strength back. You might need it."
</p>
<p>
With that she turned and walked towards the aspen circle, passed between two silver trunks and faded from sight.
</p>
<p>
Kerry knelt down beside the little brook, lowered his head to drink.
</p>
<p>
The Jack and Corriwen watched in amazement as a little pillar of water rose up from the surface like a fountain. Kerry paused, then bent to drink from it
and when he was done, the fountain subsided as if it had never been.
</p>
<p>
"Oh, man," he said. "You have to taste this stuff," He grinned delightedly as he wiped his lips.
</p>
<p>
Corrie plucked a juicy berry from the bush. Jack heard it pop softly between her teeth and she closed her eyes and sighed with pure delight.
</p>
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<h1>
12
</h1>
<p>
Under the spreading boughs the air shimmered like summer heat on a long road and Jack felt the sizzle and crackle of power like an electrical charge.
Kerry's tousled hair stood briefly on end. Corriwen sucked in her breath. Jack felt a strange sensation, like the inside-out feeling he got when they came
through the Farward Gate.
</p>
<p>
Megrin had walked on and vanished from sight. Jack thought he caught glimpses of shapes gliding in the dappled light between the vast trunks, but he
couldn't be sure. Kerry had his head cocked to the side, as if listening.
</p>
<p>
Then a voice spoke softly in Jack's head.
</p>
<p>
"<em>Welcome, traveller</em>." He stopped. Kerry and Corriwen did too.
</p>
<p>
"Who said that?" Kerry asked, looking around.
</p>
<p>
The shimmering air seemed spangled with glittering pollen, as if a million tiny fireflies swarmed. The golden particles swirled in magical eddies and
coalesced into shapes that were gauzy and indistinct, but in moments, Jack could see hazy figures standing in a wide circle.
</p>
<p>
He took a step forward and they followed close behind, walking through the sparkling light and into another circle where Megrin now stood .
</p>
<p>
<em>"Megrin Wildwillow,"</em>
the voice spoke again. "<em>It has been a long wait, but we are one again."</em>
</p>
<p>
"Long enough," Megrin said. Like the other voice, hers spoke inside Jack's head. "But worth the wait."
</p>
<p>
<em>"You have brought the Journeyman."</em>
It was a statement, not a question.
</p>
<p>
"The Journeyman, son of Jonathan Cullian Flint. Bearer of the faery-stone heart. And his heart-friends stand with him."
</p>
<p>
<em>"Welcome all."</em>
The voice was neither male nor female, but it was gentle and warm. <em> "Welcome Jack Flint. Your father was ever a friend to Uaine. We owe you our gratitude and our aid."</em>
</p>
<p>
<em> </em>
"We have kept the dark at bay as much as we are able," Megrin said. "Yet it spreads. What may follow may be the end for Uaine and all worlds. Now is the
time to face it. To heal the breach."
</p>
<p>
<em>"We are as one on this,"</em>
the disembodied voice replied. "
<em>
The Copperplates have been usurped, their purpose corrupted. We sense that Bodron has unlocked the gate to the lost lands. Sooner or later, it will
swing open, and then all will be lost."
</em>
</p>
<p>
"I will guide them into Bodron's Domain," Megrin said, "and do what I can to stem my brother's will. Speed is of the essence now. I need to share the power
of the <em>Geasan</em> I need light to overcome the dark. And I need the <em>Geasan Eril</em> to build a nether-way, to let us pass through the
shadow-fields."
</p>
<p>
She let her request sink in before she spoke again. "This is a matter of destiny. The Journeyman and his friends are part of this quest. I will lead them
to where they need to go, to Bodron's holdfast. And there I will face Bodron myself."
</p>
<p>
<em>"We cannot see beyond the dark. The future is clouded. Would you take these young travellers to their doom?"</em>
</p>
<p>
"I <em>must</em> go," Jack said aloud. He hadn't meant to speak, but some compulsion took over.
</p>
<p>
"My father went there and he never came back. I have to find him."
</p>
<p>
<em>"That we know, Journeyman. Your sorrows are ours. Yet there is a power in Bodron's holdfast that is greater than our own. Would you face it?"</em>
</p>
<p>
"I must," Jack repeated.
</p>
<p>
<em>"And your companions?"</em>
</p>
<p>
"Where Jack goes," Corriwen spoke up. "I go."
</p>
<p>
"Me too," Kerry said stoutly.
</p>
<p>
<em>"So be it. You bear the Journeyman's heartstone. Pray it protects you."</em>
</p>
<p>
The voice faded to silence. Megrin still stood in the circle where the spangling lights wove around figures that seemed not quite solid, yet emanated
power. She beckoned to Jack. Kerry and Corriwen followed him as he walked towards the circle. The magical light seemed to sizzle on his skin as he passed
through the perimeter. They joined him at its centre, wide eyed with wonder.
</p>
<p>
All around them, wise old faces looked on them kindly, yet with sadness. The heartstone thrummed as it picked up the energy within the ring of
spellbinders.
</p>
<p>
Megrin came to join them. She raised her staff. Its carved head suddenly glowed with unearthly light.
</p>
<p>
"Open the way through the darkness," she said aloud.
</p>
<p>
For a moment there was silence, followed by the soft hum of many voices in harmony, a harmony that swelled louder as it gained strength. Jack felt jolts of
energy tingle on the nerves of his fingers and down his spine.
</p>
<p>
The air before them wavered, as if heated from below, and a harsh ripping sound almost drowned out the voices. A space opened in the air, yawning dark,
like the mouth of a tunnel.
</p>
<p>
The dust at their feet was sucked into what seemed like black emptiness with no light, no shade. It was an emptiness so profound it hurt the eyes to stare
into it.
</p>
<p>
It looked like a rip in the fabric of the world. Like an opening between this place and somewhere else: somewhere shadowed and bleak.
</p>
<p>
Jack knew that's exactly what it was.
</p>
<p>
<em>Thin places.</em>
The words formed in his mind. <em>Between here and&#8230;where?</em>
</p>
<p>
The mouth swelled and contracted like a living thing.
</p>
<p>
Megrin put her hand on Jack's shoulder and ushered them forward towards the mouth. Corriwen gripped Jack's arm. Kerry looked transfixed and when Jack
pulled him forward, his feet seemed glued to the ground. Jack tugged a little harder and Kerry followed dumbly. Together they edged towards the void,
unable to look away.
</p>
<p>
They stepped inside and the sound of voices was abruptly cut off. The magical light vanished and they stood in a silent gloom.
</p>
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<h1>
13
</h1>
<p>
They were in a tunnel. Its translucent walls squeezed rhythmically as if they were in the belly of some monstrous beast. Ahead darkness stretched into the
distance.
</p>
<p>
Megrin strode an ahead and they Jack hurried to follow. The walls squeezed in on them, contracting in powerful rhythms, propelling them further and faster.
</p>
<p>
Corriwen caught a movement in peripheral vision and when she turned she saw something move, a shape beyond the outer surface of the tunnel. Kerry noticed
it too and cringed away.
</p>
<p>
The creature loomed in fast and pressed itself against the pulsing wall and Jack saw a flat snout and a wide mouth, and then he almost lost his footing
when it pushed against the yielding wall, stretching it outwards like a rubber membrane.
</p>
<p>
Corriwen reared away, instinctively drawing her knife.
</p>
<p>
Jack pulled her forward. The creature, whatever it was, drew back and the tunnel wall smoothed out again. Ahead of them, Megrin slowed her pace and waited
for them to catch up. She drew them close.
</p>
<p>
"Whatever you see is&#8230;beyond." She said. In the strange atmosphere of this place, her words seemed distant, struggling through the thin air. "These
things are not of our world. We have the protection of the <em>Geasan.</em> You can't come to harm here."
</p>
<p>
"Not yet," Corriwen said softy, though she did not seem afraid. She had faced danger before with courage and determination. Jack knew they would all need
courage, because wherever this strange <em>between-</em>way led, they were sure to find danger at the far side.
</p>
<p>
"Always looking on the bright side, Corrie." Kerry joked, managing to raise a smile. "You could try to be optimistic for once."
</p>
<p>
"A good sentiment," Megrin said. "Let's just try to do that."
</p>
<p>
They slogged on, down what seemed to be an endless, pulsating wormhole until finally Jack became aware of a change in the air and an alteration in the deep
beat that resonated all through this <em>between</em> way. The burning smell was faint at first, but it strengthened with every step they took until it
began to make his eyes water and Kerry sneezed explosively.
</p>
<p>
Megrin halted abruptly and spread her arms to ensure they stayed behind her.
</p>
<p>
The far mouth of the tunnel yawned ahead of her. "The end of the road," she said.
</p>
<p>
"Good," Kerry let out a long breath. "This is as bad as the misty way in Eirinn. Remember? All those creepy things in the fog."
</p>
<p>
They stepped out into a strange twilight filled with shadows and half-seen things that fluttered on bat wings. Behind them the mouth of the tunnel rolled
around on itself like a living thing. Megrin led them away from it and they watched as the opening abruptly contracted like the pupil of an eye. A sound of
inrushing air soared to a scream and then the <em>between-</em>way vanished completely.
</p>
<p>
There was no way back. Jack stood for a moment, lost in his own thoughts. Somewhere ahead of them they would find Bodron's keep and whatever had brought
the nightshades to infest Uaine. There, Jack hoped, he would find the answers to his questions.
</p>
<p>
There would be danger, but he had his friends beside him, and that was a comfort. But he also knew that they had come into this only because of their
friendship for him.
</p>
<p>
Kerry's father was clicking his heels in jail for poaching salmon. Corriwen's father was dead at the hands of the mad Mandrake.
</p>
<p>
Yet they had followed him to stand at his side, to help him seek the truth about how own father and they were now his responsibility. This was his quest,
not theirs. If they had put themselves on the line, then he would do everything in his power to protect them from harm.
</p>
<p>
And danger <em>did </em>lie in wait for them. The heartstone told him that. It was vibrating so fast, Jack was afraid it might shatter.
</p>
<p class="break">
***
</p>
<p>
They were on a stony, winding road. Barren land, strewn with dry rocks stretched out on either side of them before it vanished in gloom. Overhead, a purple
sky loomed heavy and oppressive. No stars twinkled, but a harsh red moon glared down, tinting the empty land in bloody hues.
</p>
<p>
Kerry shivered. "Maybe that wormhole wasn't so bad after all."
</p>
<p>
"Where are we?" Jack asked.
</p>
<p>
"Within Bodron's reach," Megrin stated.
</p>
<p>
"It's a <em>bad</em> place," Corriwen said. "It makes my skin crawl."
</p>
<p>
"And bound to get worse an' all," Kerry added. "Another fine mess you've got us into!"
</p>
<p>
Jack shot him a concerned look, but Kerry was smiling his mischievous grin the one he used to disguise his fear and relieve the tension. He shrugged his
shoulders.
</p>
<p>
"Just whistling past the graveyard," he said. "We've seen worse."
</p>
<p>
"I don't know about that." Corriwen shuddered now, and not from cold. "I feel evil all around."
</p>
<p>
"All for one and each for everybody else," Kerry said. "They haven't beaten us yet."
</p>
<p>
"Another good sentiment," Megrin approved. "But this is just the beginning, and not even the <em>Geasan-Eril</em> know what we're walking into. It's as
hidden from them as it is from me. But we are in Bodron's territory, for sure."
</p>
<p>
She looked ahead of them, towards where the darkness rolled like tar.
</p>
<p>
"And what <em>bane </em>has he wrought on this land?" Her voice sounded bleak and sad.
</p>
<p>
"Well, I'm sure we're going to find out fast," Kerry said. "Now can we get off this road? It's really creeping me out!"
</p>
<p>
The track was cracked underfoot as if large things had pounded it. No plants grew on its verges, not even nettles, though withered tendrils of what might
have been deformed weeds crumpled to dust as they walked. Here and there, clumps of slimy mushrooms glistened in the moonlight and small things with many
legs and glittering eyes scuttled between the bare rocks and sometimes stopped to watch them pass.
</p>
<p>
Beyond the roadside, on either side, where the land disappeared in the murk, Jack could see two pale shapes, indistinct but a visible contrast. They padded
slowly, keeping pace with the travellers on the road. Jack hadn't seen them appear, but their presence was reassuring.
</p>
<p>
The further they walked, the darker it became, though the moon stayed above them, bloated and red, an angry face in an angry sky.
</p>
<p>
"Perhaps we should wait for morning," Corriwen suggested.
</p>
<p>
"That'll be a long wait," Megrin replied. "This place hasn't seen morning for a long time."
</p>
<p>
"Who'd be daft enough to want that?" Kerry sounded incredulous.
</p>
<p>
"Who indeed!" was all Megrin said. She paused on the road. "And why?"
</p>
<p>
Night crowded closer on either side, so thick it seemed to have texture. Every now and again, Jack would catch a hint of movement in the corner of his eye,
but when he turned to look, his eyes couldn't fix on anything, although he was sure that things were moving out there. Corriwen and Kerry stayed close,
nervously looking to either side. Jack shared their apprehension, but Megrin seemed fully focussed on the way forward. She reminded him of Hedda, the
warrior woman of Eirinn, composed and ready. Jack wished he had some of that composure.
</p>
<p>
They stopped beyond a curve where the road cut between two rocky outcrops.
</p>
<p>
And there it was.
</p>
<p>
<em>Bodron's Keep.</em>
</p>
<p>
It stood out like a wart; black stone towers cast long shadows; rugged battlements were set like teeth along a rim of cracked and fissured walls; slitted
windows stared blindly out. Around the outer edge, a moat reflected the moon in streaks of red.
</p>
<p>
A single stone bridge spanned the moat. Even at this distance, the keep emanated such a sense of threat that it seemed alive and waiting. A line from a
school play sprung to Jack's mind&#8230;<em>something wicked this way comes.</em>
</p>
<p>
Except they were heading towards the something wicked.
</p>
<p>
Kerry blew out between pursed lips, half sigh, half whistle. "Well, it sure isn't Disneyworld."
</p>
<p>
Both Megrin and Corriwen looked at him curiously. Jack struggled to force a smile.
</p>
<p>
"You got that right."
</p>
<p>
"Bodron's Keep," Megrin said.
</p>
<p>
"What a dump," Kerry said.
</p>
<p>
"It looks <em>wicked.</em>" Corriwen's voice sounded thin. Jack shot her a glance of surprise. She'd used the very word he'd been thinking.
</p>
<p>
"Do we really have to go in there?" Jack wasn't sure if he'd spoken the words aloud, but every instinct made him want to turn back, find a way to daylight
and sunshine. None of the others reacted and he was glad he had only thought it. He felt the profound evil within this old keep reach out for him. It felt
as if he was being smothered.
</p>
<p>
The road led straight towards it, across a lifeless plain. It was the most uninviting place on any world.
</p>
<p>
They were all glad of the blue light that glowed on Megrin's carved staff as they followed the road towards the ancient walls. Darkness on either side
hemmed them in. Jack was sure he could see things moving inside the shadows and, in his head, he thought he could hear the same kind of chittering he and
Kerry had fled from on that Halloween night when they had first stepped through the stone ring in Cromwath Blackwood. His hand stayed firmly on the hilt of
his sword.
</p>
<p>
Shadows pressed them forward, until they were on the arch of the ancient bridge. Below them, the water was stagnant and slimy. It gave off a sickly smell.
</p>
<p>
"It's like the bogs in Eirinn," Corriwen said, peering over the parapet.
</p>
<p>
"Worse than that. It stinks like the bogs in school," Kerry said. He held thumb and fingers over his nose. "When they're blocked up."
</p>
<p>
Something moved under the surface, causing it to bulge in an oily ripple. Kerry shrank back but whatever it was stayed hidden. In its wake, thick black
bubbles expanded. They grew to the size of beach-balls and then, with faint liquid sounds, they broke from the surface began to float up, first one, then
three, then a dozen, wobbling as they rose.
</p>
<p>
"Creepy balloons," Kerry said, shuddering. He raised the short-sword and touched the tip against the nearest one. It exploded with a loud <em>pop</em> and
a swirl of green gas billowed out, twisting in the air.
</p>
<p>
Corriwen gave a cry of alarm.
</p>
<p>
Something that looked like a hand made out of vapour, reached out like a striking snake. Fingers spread like talons, aiming straight at Corriwen's eyes.
</p>
<p>
"Jeez&#8230;.!" Kerry gasped. He shouldered her aside, but not before the smoky claw drew itself across Corriwen's cheek. Three livid lines slanted down
her skin to the corner of her mouth, as stark as new tattoos. She screwed eyes tight and hissed in pain.
</p>
<p>
More bubbles were bursting now in glutinous sequence, belching out clouds of vapour that swirled and metamorphosed in front of their eyes into wispy shapes
that stretched out towards them.
</p>
<p>
Corriwen groaned, one hand clapped to her injured cheek.
</p>
<p>
"It burns," she gasped. "But it's as cold as ice."
</p>
<p>
Megrin was at Corriwen's side in an instant, her face filled with concern. She brought her staff closer and examined the lines in its glow.
</p>
<p>
"Bear with the hurt if you can until I can attend to that," she said.
</p>
<p>
Corriwen nodded and pushed on, saying nothing. Jack and Kerry backed away from the edge as the writhing shapes spun silently in the thick air, crowding up
from the water.
</p>
<p>
"What are these things?" Kerry's voice was tight.
</p>
<p>
"Nothing living," Megrin said.
</p>
<p>
"They look alive to me."
</p>
<p>
"Illusion, that's all," Megrin said. "But their touch is cold enough to chill the soul&#8230;and freeze the heart."
</p>
<p>
Jack pulled Kerry in to the centre of the bridge. He glanced back and now he saw the darkness had crept slowly towards the edge of the moat.
</p>
<p>
"Move, now," Megrin commanded. She raised her staff and held it high. Sapphire light blazed out and immediately the dark shadow shrank back. The vaporous
entities that hovered over the bridge burst apart in the light and faded like smoke in the wind.
</p>
<p>
"There's a <em>geas</em> on this place," she said. "A binding."
</p>
<p>
"A what?" Jack's eyes were fixed on the misty things dissipating over the water.
</p>
<p>
"A barrage-spell. This place wants no visitors."
</p>
<p>
"We guessed that," Kerry said. "No welcome mat, no flags."
</p>
<p>
"There are bound to be more tricks," Megrin added, but before she could continue, the bridge gave an almighty shudder. Heavy slabs on the parapet were
thrown into the air and fell into the moat, sending up a foul-smelling spray.
</p>
<p>
"We should move," Megrin said quickly.
</p>
<p>
"No kidding!"
</p>
<p>
Jack rapped his knuckles on the back of Kerry's head.
</p>
<p>
"Don't get smart&#8230;just <em>move.</em>"
</p>
<p>
"At least one of you has sense."
</p>
<p>
"Two of us," Corriwen snorted. She grabbed Kerry's arm and dragged him along beside her. He went quietly. And quickly.
</p>
<p>
The bridge lurched again. A zig-zag crack snaked its way between their feet and ripped up the centre of the bridge.
</p>
<p>
"Maybe we <em>should</em> move." Kerry squirmed out of Corriwen's grip and took her hand. "Come on," he said. "Race you to the other side."
</p>
<p>
Megrin hurried them on as pieces of masonry tumbled off the bridge. She braced herself against the balustrade and looked down into the water and saw the
ridged back of something scaly and powerful broke the surface.
</p>
<p>
She muttered under her breath and reached into her cloak. Then with a quick motion, shook the contents of a small pouch onto the water.
</p>
<p>
As soon as they hit the surface, blue flames shot across the moat. A deep bellow echoed up from under the arch. Jack got a glimpse of toad-like eyes and a
toothless mouth big enough to swallow a man. It bellowed again, then dived under the water and shot away along the moat, so fast that the water foamed and
swamped over the banks. Megrin waited until it vanished in the gloom.
</p>
<p>
They moved quickly over the arch of the bridge which continued to lurch from side to side as it began to break apart. The fissures underfoot widened in a
series of harsh cracks. Jack raced for the far side, in step with Kerry and Corriwen as the whole structure began to buckle.
</p>
<p>
Megrin seized Corriwen's hand and virtually dragged her the rest of the way to the other side of the moat. Behind them, the water was now a wall of flames.
More stonework slid off and then the bridge's back broke. It slumped down in two halves, before it subsided slowly into the water and disappeared.
</p>
<p>
"Looks like we've just burnt our bridge," Kerry said.
</p>
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<dc:subject>Thriller, Action</dc:subject>
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<li><a href="ch00.xhtml">Prologue</a></li>
<li><a href="ch01.xhtml">Chapter 1</a></li>
<li><a href="ch02.xhtml">Chapter 2</a></li>
<li><a href="ch03.xhtml">Chapter 3</a></li>
<li><a href="ch04.xhtml">Chapter 4</a></li>
<li><a href="ch05.xhtml">Chapter 5</a></li>
<li><a href="ch06.xhtml">Chapter 6</a></li>
<li><a href="ch07.xhtml">Chapter 7</a></li>
<li><a href="ch08.xhtml">Chapter 8</a></li>
<li><a href="ch09.xhtml">Chapter 9</a></li>
<li><a href="ch10.xhtml">Chapter 10</a></li>
<li><a href="ch11.xhtml">Chapter 11</a></li>
<li><a href="ch12.xhtml">Chapter 12</a></li>
<li><a href="ch13.xhtml">Chapter 13</a></li>
<li><a href="ch14.xhtml">Chapter 14</a></li>
<li><a href="ch15.xhtml">Chapter 15</a></li>
<li><a href="ch16.xhtml">Chapter 16</a></li>
<li><a href="ch17.xhtml">Chapter 17</a></li>
<li><a href="ch18.xhtml">Chapter 18</a></li>
<li><a href="ch19.xhtml">Chapter 19</a></li>
<li><a href="ch20.xhtml">Chapter 20</a></li>
<li><a href="ch21.xhtml">Chapter 21</a></li>
<li><a href="ch22.xhtml">Chapter 22</a></li>
<li><a href="ch23.xhtml">Chapter 23</a></li>
<li><a href="ch24.xhtml">Chapter 24</a></li>
<li><a href="ch25.xhtml">Chapter 25</a></li>
<li><a href="ch26.xhtml">Chapter 26</a></li>
<li><a href="ch27.xhtml">Chapter 27</a></li>
<li><a href="ch28.xhtml">Chapter 28</a></li>
<li><a href="ch29.xhtml">Chapter 29</a></li>
<li><a href="ch30.xhtml">Chapter 30</a></li>
<li><a href="ch31.xhtml">Chapter 31</a></li>
<li><a href="ch32.xhtml">Chapter 32</a></li>
<li><a href="ch33.xhtml">Chapter 33</a></li>
<li><a href="ch34.xhtml">Chapter 34</a></li>
<li><a href="ch35.xhtml">Chapter 35</a></li>
<li><a href="ch36.xhtml">Chapter 33</a></li>
<li><a href="ch37.xhtml">Chapter 34</a></li>
<li><a href="ch38.xhtml">Chapter 35</a></li>
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<p><a href="http://j.mp/im_bane">Bane</a></p>
<p><a href="http://j.mp/im_fullproof">Full Proof</a></p>
<p><a href='http://j.mp/im_shrike'>Shrike</a></p>
<p><a href='http://j.mp/im_incubus'>Incubus</a></p>
<p><a href='http://j.mp/im_darkvalley'>Dark Valley</a></p>
<p><a href="http://j.mp/im_havock">Havock Junction</a></p>
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<div id="uri"><a href="http://www.impera-media.co.uk">http://www.impera-media.co.uk</a></div>
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<p id="timestamp">2015-09-10</p>
<div id="copyright">Copyright (c) 2011, Joe Donnelly.
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<p>The moral right of the author has been asserted</p>
<p>This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by
way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, hired out, or
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<p>The town is on its knees. The jobs have gone. The companies have shut or sold out.</p>
<p>Part two of the <em>Book of Ways</em> trilogy</p>
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<p>But that batch is 250,000 gallons of full-proof whisky. It’s worth MILLIONS.</p>
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<head>
<title>Mythlands - Spellbinder Preview </title>
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<p class="centered"><strong>Preview of </strong></p>
<p class="centered"><strong>SPELLBINDER</strong></p>
<p class="centered"><strong>The next in the series</strong></p>
<h1>1.</h1><p>Corriwen Redthorn had vanished into another world.</p>
<p>She had tumbled, <em>was thrown</em>, through the space between the standing stones and she was gone. Disappeared.</p>
<p>Jack Flint lurched from the far side of the ring of stones. Kerry Malone had his arm around him, bracing him up. But for that, both of them would have sunk to the ground.</p>
<p>They were hurt. They were bruised and bloodied and Jack felt as if every inch of his body had been beaten. Blood was matted on Kerry's shoulder where the thing had hit him, slammed him into the air.</p>
<p>The thing. The <em>Morrigan</em>. </p>
<p>As old as time, as foul as sin, she had harried them across the dead lands, rending the very rocks with her fury. They had made it to the ring of stones where they had started and she had come sweeping after them, a shade within a shadow; screeching for vengeance.</p>
<p>They had fought her and she had almost killed them both. But they had survived and she was gone, still screeching, all the way down into the infinity of dark under the capstone.</p>
<p>But before it had sucked her down she had reached out and caught him by the leg, claws digging into his bones, her rage as cold as death, dragging him down with her into the eternal black.</p>
<p>Then Corriwen Redthorn was in front on him again and both knives were out, flashing red in the hideous moonlight. She dived headlong and slashed at the claw gripping Jack's leg. The second knife flickered past him and pierced a monstrous red eye. Something burst wetly and the demon-thing's sudden agony blasted out of her and the standing stones shuddered in their foundations.</p>
<p>And then the Morrigan was gone, screaming as she fell. Screaming so long that it seemed to take forever before the hideous cry faded to nothing.</p>
<p>But in the instant before the grip broke on Jack's leg, her last desperate act had been to reach out, fast as a snake, and hit Corriwen a tremendous blow which slammed her into the air.</p>
<p>And now, in the aftermath, Corriwen had vanished.</p>
<p>Kerry groaned aloud. Jack could see the bruise swelling across his cheek. He had taken a hard blow, but his eyes were still bright and somehow fierce.</p>
<p>"We beat the bitch," he said. </p>
<p>"We did. And I think I got us back to <em>before.</em> I mean, before it all went crazy."</p>
<p>He paused in mid sentence.</p>
<p>"Where is she?"</p>
<p>"I told you. She's gone."</p>
<p>"No," Jack said. "Where's Corriwen?"</p>
<p>They both turned round quickly.</p>
<p>"She was&#8230;" Kerry started, then stopped. "I think she was here. I was running with that thing coming on like a train. Then I threw the heartstone to you and she hit me such a wallop I went ass for elbow."</p>
<p>"Corriwen was hit too," Jack said. His heart lurched. "She was hit. I saw it." He started to walk, ignoring the pain and they helped each other to their feet.</p>
<p>"She was hit really hard and she went flying." He took a slow step and then another in the direction Corriwen had tumbled when the Morrigan had flipped her away, all the time expecting to find her broken body against one of the standing stones. The final blow from the Morrigan must have been devastating.</p>
<p>He searched around, moving from one stone to the other before he saw it. There on the soft earth, was a small depression where she had landed and rolled, scuff marks in the thin grass.</p>
<p>They continued onwards, towards the space between two standing stones.</p>
<p>Then they vanished.</p>
<p>Jack looked at Kerry.</p>
<p>"She must have been thrown through," Kerry said. Regret and relief were struggling in his expression. "Back home to Temair."</p>
<p>Jack reached for his friend's arm. It was all coming back to him through a haze of hurt and numbness.</p>
<p>He shook his head. "No," he said. "That's not the gate to Temair. The <em>Farward Gate. </em>She was thrown through the <em>wrong</em> one. They were all open at the same time. I saw different places out there."</p>
<p>They locked eyes. "Kerry. I don't know <em>where</em> she's gone."</p>
<p>"Oh Jack," Kerry whispered.</p>
<p>Jack picked up the amberhorn bow and hefted his backpack. His jacket was in rags. One shoe was torn from sole to heel. He was hurting from head to toe. The standing stones towered above them.</p>
<p>Beyond them, Cromwath Blackwood's trees crowded close, now back to its thick, twisting glades. Beyond them, some distance away was the tall wall that was built to keep people out. Now he and Kerry knew the astonishing secret of the wall and the stones. The <em>gates.</em></p>
<p>Beyond the wall was a world back to normal, he knew for sure. No creeping darkness, no whispering shade. No madness in the night.</p>
<p>Beyond the wall the Major's telescope would still be focused on the woods. The major would be up in the turret with his charts<em>.</em></p>
<p>Jack had so much to tell him, so much to ask him. All the answers he needed to know about who he was and where he came from, all the things he needed to know, lay beyond the wall.</p>
<p>He paused, heart aching with the need for that knowledge. He walked across the ring, to the space between the stones through which they had run, panicked, on that first night.</p>
<p>Jack leaned against the stone, utterly worn. </p>
<p>He <em>had</em> to get home. Had to speak with the Major and find out all he knew.</p>
<p>He took one step beyond the ring, aching with the need to find the truth about his father.</p>
<p>But Corriwen Redthorn had saved his life. She had helped both of them survive all the odds in a strange world and she had helped them get home again after all they had been through.</p>
<p>The memory of their travels, their battles; her bravery. They all came back in a rush, and with them came the knowledge that he would have to act like the old heroes he had always admired.</p>
<p>They made sacrifices. Their word was more than their bond. It was their <em>life.</em></p>
<p><em> </em></p>
<p>And Jack Flint owed a debt of life to Corriwen Redthorn. A debt he would repay come what may, no matter the cost; no matter the sacrifice.</p>
<p>He turned back and faced across the capstone to the gateway through which Corriwen had disappeared.</p>
<p>Kerry's eyes followed him, sensing the battle going on inside Jack's mind.</p>
<p>"What do you want to do?"</p>
<p>Jack slammed both fists against the great stone, venting his frustration and despair.</p>
<p>Unsteadily, but very deliberately he limped across the ring of stones to the far side. He hurt all over and he felt he could sleep for a week.</p>
<p>"She's lost somewhere. Lost and alone. I don't know where, but I've got the key to open the gate."</p>
<p>He turned to face Kerry, looked him straight in the eye. He held up the black heart stone on its silver chain.</p>
<p>"I'm going to find her," he said.</p>
<p>Kerry nodded. Understanding was clear on his face. He clapped Jack on the back. They both winced.</p>
<p>"Not on your own, you're not."</p>
<p>"I can't ask you&#8230;" Jack began.</p>
<p>Kerry held up a hand. "You're not asking. And you don't have to. We're not going to let a girl come between us, are we?"</p>
<p>"Cross my heart," Jack said.</p>
<p>"And hope to die."</p>
<p>And together they walked forward into the unknown.</p>
<p> </p>
</div> </div> </body> </html>
<p class="centered noindent"><strong>Preview of </strong></p>
<p class="centered noindent enhance"><strong>The SHADOWMASTER</strong></p>
<p class="centered noindent"><strong>The final book in the <em>Book of Ways</em> mythic trilogy</strong></p>
<h1>1</h1>
<p>
Jack swallowed a dry lump in his throat as he turned away from his friends towards the gate between the old
stones.
</p>
<p>
It was his decision to go, and to go alone.
</p>
<p>
"You don't have to," Kerry protested.
</p>
<p>
"I do. And Corriwen has to get home again. To her own world."
</p>
<p>
They were in the ring of stones in Cromwath Blackwood. The heartstone lay on the carved rock, nestled in the
niche that had been cut so long ago nobody
could remember. Jack knew how to do it now; how to open those gates. They would only stay open for a few
minutes more.
</p>
<p>
"It's that way," he said, pointing to the southernmost opening.
</p>
<p>
The words of the Sky Queen came back to him. <em>Find the door into summer.</em>
</p>
<p>
That was his first step. And then after that, wherever he found himself, <em>whenever </em>he found himself,
he had to find yet another gateway.
</p>
<p>
He turned the heartstone in the niche.
</p>
<p>
Moonlight shone behind him. Twilight before him. On his left he could see the rock in Temair where Mandrake
had met his gruesome end. The man-shape could
still be made out, covered now with lichen and moss. To Jack's right, was brilliant sunlight and the smell
of roses and wild honey sweet on the air.
</p>
<p>
<em>The door into summer</em>
.
</p>
<p>
There was no time to waste. He snatched up the heartstone and looped the chain around his neck. Faint lights
sparkled and danced in each doorway. Time was
running fast.
</p>
<p>
He hugged Kerry and Corriwen tight, blinking back tears, then without a word he turned .
</p>
<p>
Faint lights sparkled and danced in each doorway. Time was running fast. Without a word he stepped into the
unknown.
</p>
<p>
In an instant he was gone, as if he had never been. Between the stones colours spangled and shifted and an
eerie sound whistled, like high swifts in cold
air.
</p>
<p>
Kerry stood with his arm around Corriwen.
</p>
<p>
"I don't want to go home," he wailed. "There's nothing for me there. Oh <em>freak!</em> This isn't fair."
</p>
<p>
"But he wants to do it alone," Corriwen replied.
</p>
<p>
"No he doesn't. He just thinks it would be dangerous."
</p>
<p>
"We've faced danger before. The three of us together."
</p>
<p>
"That's right. So we have! We can't let that eejit do it by himself, can we?"
</p>
<p>
Jack's closest friends clasped hands, looked in each other's eyes.
</p>
<p>
And then they were running fast towards the door into summer.
</p>
<hr/>
<p>
Blinding flashes seared Jack's eyes and he experienced that familiar sensation of being turned completely
inside out, with every nerve pulled like
spiderwebs, every cell split and scattered in a void. Colours raced past him as if he was falling down a
well that went on forever. Cold shuddered through
him like spears of ice.
</p>
<p>
Then there was a twisting sensation and he was on his knees, hauling for breath and gagging against the
nausea that bubbled up from deep inside.
</p>
<p>
It took him a moment to realise he was kneeling in the sunshine and the air was warm and clean.
</p>
<p>
<em>The door into summer.</em>
</p>
<p>
Behind him, the standing stones stood out against a deep blue sky, each smooth and polished, carved with
strange figures and stranger script, but Jack knew
each figure and each word was part of the power that let the gates open and close. Between them, the air
twisted and warped, spangling with strange
luminescence. Beyond the stones, grass swayed in the light breeze. Somewhere high above, a lark soared.
</p>
<p>
Still gripping the long sword tight, the gift from Hedda the warrior woman, Jack raised himself to his feet
and looked around. Pollen scented the air. In
the distance, rolling hills faded in summer haze. A perfect day in any world.
</p>
<p>
Yet Jack Flint thought he had never felt so completely alone in his life.
</p>
<p>
He let out a slow breath.
</p>
<p>
"Well," he said to himself. "That's it now. I'm here."
</p>
<p>
Wherever <em>here</em> was.
</p>
<p>
He took a tentative step forward, then another, until he reached a stream. There, he knelt down, cupped a
hand and took a sip. The water was cold and
refreshing. He dabbed at his eyes, wiping away tears that had come unbidden and refused to be blinked back.
</p>
<p>
Ahead of him, somewhere in this world, was something that would lead him to his goal. It was here, he now
believed, that he would find the route to his
past. The route to the father he had never known.
</p>
<p>
This was not Corriwen's quest, nor Kerry's. Though Corriwen's only brother lay dead at Mandrake's hands on
the slaughterfield in Temair. Though Kerry's
father was clicking his heels in Drumbain Jail back home after his failed poaching attempt almost destroyed
the old bridge. They had their own destinies to
seek, and he would not lead them into more danger.
</p>
<p>
Jack's father, Jonathan Cullian Flint might be alive and he might be dead, but his son had to know for sure,
had to discover the truth.
</p>
<p>
He stood again, ready to take the first steps on his journey in this new world.
</p>
<p>
Before he could take a step, the air was rent apart by a sudden screech. In a second it rose to a crescendo,
like a jet racing up a runway. Then something
struck him with such force he stumbled back, twisting to grab his sword.
</p>
<p>
"Wha&#8230;?"
</p>
<p>
Something else hit him and sent him tumbling to land on his backside.
</p>
<p>
The screech suddenly stopped. A hollow <em>pop</em> sucked out what breath he had left in his lungs. He
struggled against the weight and something
struggled against <em>him</em>.
</p>
<p>
"Jeez, Jack," Kerry Malone bawled in his ear. "I'm just <em>never</em> going to get used to going through
those gates."
</p>
<p>
A small hand grabbed his own and heaved him to his feet as his vision cleared.
</p>
<p>
"Are you all right?" Corriwen sounded concerned.
</p>
<p>
She spoke softly in his ear. Jack shook his head to steady himself. Corriwen and Kerry faced him on the
grass. And beyond the two stones, the spangling
lights were gone. All he could see were hills rolling away in the distance. The gate was closed.
</p>
<p>
"What are you two doing here?"
</p>
<p>
"Aw, Jack," Kerry said. "What else could we do? You know you'll just get into a mess if we're not here to
watch your back."
</p>
<p>
"One for all," Corriwen said earnestly. "Isn't that what you said?"
</p>
<p>
"And each for everybody else," Kerry interjected. "Like always."
</p>
<p>
"You were supposed to go home!"
</p>
<p>
"Yeah, right. And let you have all the fun?"
</p>
<p>
Even Corriwen laughed. "We talked," she said. "Temair will still be Temair without me for a while."
</p>
<p>
"And there's not much for me back home," Kerry added. "I'm a nobody there. Here I'm&#8230;hell, I don't even
know <em>where </em>this is."
</p>
<p>
He looked around him, smelling the nectar on the air, feeling the sun on his face.
</p>
<p>
"But it sure is a whole lot better than the other places you took me to. No bodies, no monsters. And it's
<em>warm</em>!"
</p>
<p>
He knuckled Jack on the shoulder. "It's like being on holiday, and we're due a break, don't you think? This
place looks just great."
</p>
<p>
Jack was speechless. He felt tears prick in his eyes again and this time he just managed to blink them away.
Without a word he dropped the sword and swung
his arms around both of them, hugging them tight.
</p>
<p>
"Oh, quit that," Kerry protested. "You'll have me blubberin' for sure."
</p>
<hr/>
<p>
It was some time in the afternoon, Kerry guessed from where the sun sat low in the sky, and they hadn't
wandered far from the two standing stones.
</p>
<p>
"I love this place," Kerry said. He'd taken Corriwen down to the stream and shown her how to catch fish,
poacher-style with his bare hands, tickling them
out from under the banks and flat stones.
</p>
<p>
"They swim right into your hands," he said, between mouthfuls of freshly cooked fish that might have been
trout but were as pink inside as salmon. The
brushwood fire glowed and gave off a scent aroma of herbs. Above it, in the aromatic smoke, three fat fish
were cooking slowly to a rich brown. "This is
paradise, I swear."
</p>
<p>
Corriwen had collected nuts from a grove on the hillside, and black damsons as big as apples from the shrubs
alongside the stream. She sighed and leant
back against a smooth river-stone.
</p>
<p>
"It <em>is</em> peaceful," she said. Jack had to agree, but under his thought came another. <em>Yes, but
will it stay that way?</em>
</p>
<p>
As if sensing the thought, Corriwen glanced at him curiously.
</p>
<p>
"I think we should try to find out where we are," Jack said.
</p>
<p>
"Yeah," Kerry chuckled. "Get out the old sat-nav!"
</p>
<p>
Corriwen gave him one of her puzzled looks and both boys laughed.
</p>
<p>
"You'd never believe me if I told you what that was," Kerry said.
</p>
<p>
Jack had been putting off the moment, content to be with Corriwen and Kerry. Today had felt like a picnic
and they'd needed a break, for sure. But now he
reached into his satchel and drew out the old book, feeling its weight in his hands.
</p>
<p>
The ancient leather binding was as familiar to him now as all the books on the shelf beside his bed back
home, though none was as mysterious or nearly as
important. It was their guide in the mythworlds, their Book of Ways.
</p>
<p>
The book twisted in his palm, as if it contained a life of its own and the front cover flipped open to let
the leaves whirr of their own volition until
they stopped on a blank page. Kerry and Corriwen crowded close, watching intently as old script gradually
appeared on the page, line by line. Jack looked
at Kerry. "You read it, if you like."
</p>
<p>
When the words stopped etching themselves Kerry began to speak.
</p>
<p class="centered">
The Farward Gate of Uaine dear
</p>
<p class="centered">
The Summerland so Fair and Clear
</p>
<p class="centered">
But Journeyman should well step light
</p>
<p class="centered">
For mischief stalks the bleak of night.
</p>
<p class="centered">
Spell miscast for binder's gain
</p>
<p class="centered">
Summons shadow, summons bane.
</p>
<p class="centered">
Set face and foot to Westward path
</p>
<p class="centered">
And shelter fast from bale-moon wrath
</p>
<p class="centered">
Journeyman must face his fate
</p>
<p class="centered">
For nowhere now stands homeward gate
</p>
<p class="centered">
In darkness deep waits darkness old
</p>
<p class="centered">
And peril waits who seeks his goal.
</p>
<p>
Kerry stopped, and for a moment there was silence.
</p>
<p>
"Not very promising," Jack finally said.
</p>
<p>
"It never is," Kerry responded. "I wish just once it would tell us straight. And maybe it's got it wrong.
This place seems okay to me."
</p>
<p>
"And Temair was once your oh-kay too," Corriwen interrupted. "But where there's good, there is always bad."
</p>
<p>
"Maybe not as bad as before," Jack said, though his mind kept repeating the words from the second verse:
<em>Nowhere now stands homeward gate.</em>
</p>
<p>
He felt those fingers of uncertainty creep on the skin of his back. He had come on a quest, hoping he had
chosen the right gate. If he was wrong&#8230;if
there was no way back&#8230;
</p>
<p>
Jack shook the thought away and closed the book
</p>
<p>
"I think the holiday is over," he said.
</p>
</div>
</div>
</body>
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<h1>SPELLBINDER</h1>
<h2>SPELLBINDER</h2>
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<div id="author">
<h4>Joe Donnelly</h4>

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