The Dark

CHAPTER Twenty-one



Isabel


We meet at dawn, on the field above Arkarian’s chambers. Matt is with us, and for a second, while Ethan is busy double-checking the supplies in our backpacks, I’m tempted to ask if he knows anything about why our father walked out all those years ago. My recent vision of him still plays in my head. Dad said he couldn’t live with the deceit any more, and it’s eating at me not knowing what that deceit was, or who caused it.

But Ethan’s checking doesn’t take very long. He comes over, and I drop all thoughts of Dad for now.

‘You’re too inexperienced,’ Ethan tells Matt. Lost in thought, I miss the first part of their conversation. But it’s easy to pick up. Matt, it seems, is adamant he’s coming with us.

‘How can I learn anything if you protect me from any form of possible danger?’ My brother points to me. ‘Isabel has no fighting powers. And while I know she’s … well, really good at everything, I can manage these trips too. I know I can.’

‘This isn’t going to be an “ordinary trip”,’ Ethan argues back.

‘I know, it’s just … well, I have to look out for Isabel.’

‘What!’ I can’t help squeal at this. ‘You just admitted I’m “really good at everything”, don’t pull the big brother act on me now.’

‘I’m not going to apologise for wanting to look out for you. It’s just something I’ve always done, you know that. I promised …’

He doesn’t finish. An awkward silence follows. ‘What are you on about?’

‘Nothing.’

‘Matt?’

‘Nothing!’

Ethan’s patience snaps. His hands jerk into the air. ‘Look, Matt, amongst other things, Isabel is a healer, and healing is one of the most significant powers a Guard can have. We don’t know what condition Arkarian is going to be in, or what dangers we’re going to face, but Isabel’s skills could make the difference between life and death.’

Matt keeps arguing, rationalising why he thinks he should come with us. ‘You don’t even know if any of your skills will work in this world.’

‘Maybe not, but I can’t stop Isabel from going, even if I tied her arms and legs together with chains.’

Ethan’s words spark an image of Arkarian’s abduction, his hands and feet chained within that gilded cage. Tears spring to my eyes and I glance away before either of these two see them. Especially Matt. He already feels he has to ‘protect me’. I don’t want to give him ammunition to feed his cause. So I make a point of peering around as if looking for signs of Lord Penbarin, Lady Arabella and the third Tribunal member Lady Arabella promised to bring. Hopefully they’ll be here soon. It’s almost sunrise. There’s plenty of light starting already.

‘I can stop you, Matt. Like it or not, I’m your superior.’ Pulling rank has got to be Ethan’s last resort. ‘As my Apprentice you’re my responsibility. And I’m not going to stop protecting you just because you think you’re ready.’

‘I’ve been your Apprentice for a whole year already!’ Matt practically yells. ‘Don’t tell me I’m not ready!’

‘Arkarian was Lorian’s Apprentice for two hundred years,’ I say softly.

Both heads turn and stare at me.

Ethan looks at Matt as if to say, ‘Well, there!’ But when he speaks his tone is much more gentle. ‘Look, it’s enough I’m risking my own future doing this. If you’re worried about Isabel, well, for what it’s worth, I’ll be there. I’ll look after her.’

Ethan’s words make me groan. ‘Spare me please.’

Exasperated with their over-inflated egos, I glance at my watch. There’s so much light now, I’m afraid the royals aren’t going to show. What if Lady Arabella can’t convince anyone to help? ‘Where are they?’ I ask noone in particular, looking around the vast field.

Matt and Ethan look around too, but it’s Matt, the tallest of the pair, that spots something first. ‘I don’t believe this!’

I stand on my toes to see what he’s looking at. Ethan hisses air out between clenched teeth. ‘Oh great.’ He gives Matt a hard stare. ‘Did you invite her to come with us? This isn’t a picnic you know. She could get hurt.’

‘It wasn’t me. I swear!’

At last I see what’s got them so agitated. It’s Rochelle, running up the hill, a bag on her back. She sees we’ve spotted her and gives a little wave. Before long she comes right up.

‘What are you doing here?’ Ethan snaps.

For a second it’s as if his strong tone takes her breath away. Her deep green eyes skim the distant ridges where ice rests on some of the higher peaks already. Finally she says, ‘Don’t sound so happy. I’m coming with you.’

Everyone has the same instant reaction.

‘Nah-huh.’

‘No way.’

‘Forget it. You’re not coming.’

She persists, her hands sliding to her hips. ‘You could use my skills.’

She’s not wrong there as her skills of truthseeing and touch are fully developed, but it changes nothing. ‘We can’t put more members at risk. Lorian is going to excommunicate us as it is,’ I explain.

‘Oh, so you think I haven’t taken risks before? What do you reckon it took to turn traitor on the Order? It wasn’t easy, you know. Now I’ve got Marduke and Lathenia after me. Without Arkarian’s help I wouldn’t have done it. He believed in me. He trusted me. And didn’t I prove my loyalty in Rome recently?’

She thinks we don’t want her to come because we don’t trust her. Maybe she’s part right. How do you fully trust a former spy? Sure, I was there in Rome, and while Rochelle’s loyalty on that mission couldn’t be faulted, how do we know it wasn’t all an act?

For a second I forget that she can read my thoughts, just as I forget to screen them. ‘Come on, Isabel. How weak is your faith? How short is your memory?’

She’s probably reminding me of when she saved Matt from being burnt at the stake last year. I haven’t forgotten, but trust – or our lack of it – isn’t the main issue here. ‘Look, this isn’t solely about trust, Rochelle. Matt wants to come too—’

She glares at him, her eyes open wide. ‘What! Don’t be a fool, Matt. You haven’t any—’

It’s Matt’s turn to interrupt. ‘I’m not useless just because I don’t have any powers.’

For a moment all four of us are quiet. The silence is broken by Rochelle’s earnest plea. ‘You don’t understand. I have to do this.’

‘Why?’ Ethan asks.

‘Of all of you, he’s the only one who believes in me without doubt. If we lose Arkarian, I have no future. Without him, I … I would have trouble believing in myself.’

Everybody shuts up, completely wordless. Rochelle always seems so confident. It’s a shock to discover otherwise. She glances away, blinking rapidly. She’s close to tears. Ethan goes to say something, but she brushes him away. He persists, grabbing her arm. ‘There’s something else you have to understand.’

She looks up at him, and he says, ‘We’re going into this world undisguised. If we should meet up with anyone from the Order who can recognise you …’ His head shakes. ‘It’s too big a risk.’

She seems to chew on these words, absorbing their full impact. For Rochelle to have no disguise could prove fatal. ‘All right. But you don’t have to make it so obvious you don’t want me. What will it take to get you lot to accept me?’

With these words she storms off, and we’re left looking at each other in an uncomfortable silence. But something about her brief visit has the hairs prickling at the back of my neck.

Ethan is the first to speak. ‘Well, that was enlightening.’

‘I’ll say,’ Matt says.

‘So how do you suppose she knew what we were doing, and exactly where to find us?’

Matt is quick to defend himself for a second time. His hands fly into the air. ‘Don’t look at me. I haven’t gone near Rochelle since she’s been back.’

‘So how did Rochelle find out?’

‘Maybe one of you inadvertently let her read your thoughts.’

I take offence at Matt’s accusation. ‘One of us?’

He shrugs. ‘Didn’t you two just go on a mission with her?’

Ethan shares a puzzled look with me. Just how careful are we when in Rochelle’s company? We all know, mistakes happen.

And then there’s the possibility that Rochelle is telling the truth about Arkarian’s belief in her. If this is true, then I should trust her too. In fact, so should everyone.

Any more thoughts of Rochelle fly from my head as a soft whooshing sound gets my heart beating fast. All three of us move back at the sound as Lord Penbarin and Lady Arabella materialise in front of us. And they have Queen Brystianne with them! I can’t help grinning and jumping on the spot like a hyperactive two-year-old. At last the royals are here – all three – and we can begin.

The instant Lord Penbarin’s body completely forms he looks up to the sky. A zigzag of brilliantly coloured light appears above us for a fraction of a second. If we weren’t looking in exactly the right direction, none of us would have noticed. ‘Well, well, it appears I may have underestimated you two.’ He looks at Matt, lifts one finely arched eyebrow, then, as if recognising him, or something about him, bows his head just slightly. ‘I don’t believe we’ve been introduced.’

Ethan introduces him. ‘May I present my Apprentice, Matt Becket.’

Lord Penbarin can’t seem to drag his eyes off Matt. Finally, he says to Ethan, ‘Not for long, I’m sure.’

It’s a strange thing to say. Ethan looks at me with a frown. I shrug my shoulders lightly.

Lady Arabella approaches, and catching sight of Matt, gives a little breathy gasp. She then does the most amazing thing. Grabbing her wide skirt in both hands, she curtsies, low and deep. When her head lifts, her ice-tipped eyelashes are fluttering against her pale cheeks. ‘It’s a pleasure to meet you.’

Queen Brystianne is next. She takes one of Matt’s hands and stares at him for a little longer than seems polite, then her shoulders lift and she exhales a long breath. This action floors me. She’s so nervous I think she’s having trouble breathing! Finally she lowers Matt’s hand, giving him a coy smile.

I can’t believe this. The woman is blushing!

The royals’ strange reactions to my brother has me wondering. What’s going on? But I can’t very well ask them; I’d feel like an idiot. And Lord Penbarin, now that he’s here, has developed a sudden urgency. ‘We’d better get a move on before somebody discovers what we’re doing.’

His words worry me, but I’m as ready as ever. ‘Where do you want us to stand?’

He explains, ‘Well, my dear, much like you, I’ve been busy doing my research on how best to make this happen. With the help of Lady Arabella, I have searched thousands of ancient texts through the night.’

‘How will this passing through the worlds be accomplished?’ Matt asks.

I may just be imagining this, but at Matt’s words, Lord Penbarin’s shoulders square off as if he’s just been singled out for a best lord-of-the-land award. ‘We’re going to use the gods’ own power generator.’

At our blank stares he continues, ‘We’re going to form a pyramid with our bodies within an octagon base. It’s a vehicle of ancient power.’

‘Do we have to be a part of this design?’ I ask, not quite understanding yet.

Lord Penbarin explains, ‘You and Ethan will stand within the pyramid formed by our bodies.’

‘But how can you create this shape when there are only three of you?’

Lady Arabella holds up her hand. Instantly a lengthy white plaited cord appears. ‘We shall use this to make the eight-sided base. We will then stand within this octagon and use our bodies to form the pyramid.’

‘The idea is,’ Lord Penbarin goes on to explain – to Matt, as if he’s the only one going on this journey, when in fact, he’s the one not going – ‘using the three of our powers combined, we will endeavour to force a small opening in a rift that is like a doorway that leads from one world to the other.’

Lady Arabella takes over in her gentle voice, explaining the rest to Ethan and me. ‘The two of you will be propelled into a temporary vortex. What happens then, none of us really knows. We believe that nature and gravity will deposit you into the underworld. These same gravitational forces should seal the rip behind you.’

‘The problem is,’ Lord Penbarin sounds even more hurried now. ‘As we have never combined our powers to attempt something of this magnitude before, we can’t guarantee what will happen. Should the rift open for longer than anticipated, the possibility arises that a creature from the underworld could make the leap into earth.’

‘Why would that be so bad?’ I ask.

It’s as if all three royals take a simultaneous deep breath.

‘Because, my dear,’ Lord Penbarin explains, ‘it’s not the way of things. The order of life. The progression of souls. Eternity.’

‘I don’t understand.’

Lady Arabella tries to explain, ‘What my lord is trying to say is that the creatures that now inhabit the underworld would upset the balance of our natural environment.’

Lord Penbarin waves his hand in the air. ‘Huh! They had their chance!’

‘Their presence … their appearance – so unearthly – would cause panic and disorder the like this world has never seen before.’

Again, all three royals shudder.

‘Well what about us?’ Ethan asks. ‘Will our presence upset the balance of their natural environment?’

Lady Arabella’s shoulders shrug almost imperceptibly. ‘We don’t know what effect your visit will have, but as their world is already governed by chaos, we think any effect would be minimal.’

The enormity of what we’re doing – at my instigating – suddenly hits me, leaving me wordless for a moment. I mean, not only are there risks to my own world, but to this other one as well. I feel the stirrings of panic inside.

An image of Arkarian’s gentle face forms before my eyes, helping me pull myself together. ‘The risks appear almost too high, but I feel I must at least try to bring Arkarian back. I just hope you don’t get in trouble for helping us today.’

Lady Arabella takes one of my hands. ‘My dear child, no one forces us to do anything. Not even my good Lord Penbarin,’ she adds with a giggle. ‘Each of us has been touched by Arkarian’s presence in some form or another. Any risks we undertake in his name are our own, and come from our hearts.’

I appreciate her words, yet still can’t help feeling a tinge of guilt. Surely two humans passing through a rift in the sky are going to attract attention, and would hardly go unnoticed by an immortal. But, so far, there’s no sign of Lorian. I just hope we can get through this procedure before Lorian appears. As yet, we haven’t done anything against the Guard – except perhaps to plot treachery! And if someone should see us right now, we could simply say we’re watching the sun come up. Only after we enter this other world can we be charged with treason. But once there, even Lorian will be unable to stop us from going ahead with the rescue. There’ll be time enough when we return to face any serious charges.

As I think these thoughts Lady Arabella arranges the cord into the shape of an octagon, and gives us some last-minute advice, ‘We will watch this area for a sign, but it won’t be easy to return you. You will probably have to find your own way out. Hopefully Arkarian will have some idea on how to accomplish this.’

Finished with the cord, she looks across at Ethan, who starts double-checking our supplies (again). He goes through the backpacks, softly mouthing the names of each item: torch, batteries, food (mostly dried), water, matches, ropes … Lady Arabella goes over and gives him what appear to be two long, fur-lined cloaks, and two pairs of black leather gloves. ‘Where you’re going you’ll need these. Put them in your packs. They look bulky, but they won’t take up any room. Trust me.’

She glances briefly at Lord Penbarin and Queen Brystianne as if trying to make her mind up about something. Lord Penbarin gives a slight nod, and she says, ‘We don’t know what challenges you will find yourselves facing, and well, we can’t help you from here, should you get into difficulty, but we can give you some advice. Listen carefully.’

She has our full attention. ‘Have courage, have faith, and be true to your heart.’

Ethan and I exchange puzzled glances. What is Lady Arabella talking about? She moves away quickly and the subject closes. Ethan holds my gaze for a moment longer, then shrugs lightly. ‘Help me get these cloaks in, so we can get going.’

I help Ethan shove the cloaks into one of the packs. Once inside, they take up no room at all, squashing down to almost nothing.

With the packs loaded on our backs, Ethan and I go and stand in the centre of the octagon. Lord Penbarin and Queen Brystianne come over and join Lady Arabella, placing their feet oddly within the white cord. They then link their hands high above our heads, forming the slightly obscure shape of a human-pyramid. As I peer outside their arms I see Matt staring at the pyramid centre, and the thought suddenly hits me that we didn’t say goodbye to each other.

A sizzle overhead gets louder and the power of the three royals begins to take effect. Heat from their combined hands spreads over me. I look up and see their fingers glowing orange and white, streaks of energy sizzling and crackling between one set and the next. Their heads remain still and upright, their eyes closed, breathing slow and steady. Inside the pyramid, the atmosphere starts to change.

Two things happen almost simultaneously. The first is an explosion that jolts through the centre. It covers the two of us in a brilliant light, and my body tingles as if charged with electricity. The other is my brother, who leaps through the arms of Lady Arabella and Queen Brystianne, to lodge himself firmly between Ethan and me. He places himself in the direct centre of the force of power.

Ethan yells and tries to shove him out, but Matt is holding on to both of us tightly. The light and energy within the pyramid rapidly escalates, and a strange sucking sensation sets in, as if my body is being pulled in myriad directions. It becomes hard even to think.

The next thing I know all three of us are moving, hurled with a force that we have no power over, into space. My own hand, held in front of me, appears distorted. Our backpacks become dislodged and start spinning around in the air. All three of us get caught up in a strange whirlpool. The air grows darker, but not black exactly, just as if it is endless.

The whirlpool picks up power, and the three of us end up spinning towards a narrow peak. As we rise into this peak, the forces keeping us there increase. None of us can hear the other call, though Ethan’s mouth is moving. There appears to be no gravity, and our bodies spin around in different directions. It grows even darker as a wind kicks up and quickly increases to a deafening roar. Now I can only see shadows.

I start to wonder if I can take much more of this. The pull on my limbs has become unbearable. But suddenly we begin to drop. The fall is fast and feels as if it is a great distance. To compound this, the depth of darkness has become total. I can’t see the others at all, not even my backpack! But I sense we’re about to hit solid ground. And I don’t need any sixth sense to know that we’re going to hit it hard.