Heart of the Hill (4 page)

“The Wise Ones have concealed the tools of power
well,” she raged, “I WILL find them.”

She knew she was finally in the right galaxy for she
could sense their presence — a tingling and a brightness
in the air. She pulled the darkness closer, to shield her
and her supporters from the hated light, but suddenly
she felt remnants of the Wise Ones' thoughts winging
through the air … a feeling of hope and purpose. It was
as though the Wise Ones were near, were aware of
her movements and were outwitting her. How could
that be?

The Dark Being sent a roar of anger boiling across
the universe. “I hear you, Wise Ones … You shall not
escape me this time.” She directed her cohorts to the
other stars and planets around her. “Go! Seek them!”

Her second-in-command, Zorianna, sped toward Gaia.

Holly and Owen watched as Adam slammed the office door and pushed past them. He headed up the stairs, his face so white the freckles stood out in blotches.

“Adam?” Owen called.

Adam kept on going.

Owen's mother put her hand on Owen's shoulder.

“Let him be. He needs time alone. You can comfort him later on.”

Owen leaned against his mother, and she gave him a quick hug, leaving traces of flour on his cheek.

“What about Chantel?” asked Holly.

“We'll give her a minute. She may still be on the phone with her mother,” said Lynne.

Holly crept over to the door and listened.

“Holly!” Lynne protested.

“No one's talking, Mum, but Chantel's crying.”

Lynne looked from her daughter to the closed door and sighed. She walked over, knocked lightly and opened the door.

Chantel huddled in the office chair, her face hidden in her hands, her body shaking with sobs.

“Oh, you poor little thing.” Lynne swept Chantel into her arms.

Holly closed the door gently.

Owen perched on the kitchen windowsill, his heels tapping the radiator on the wall. “So they've decided then. Aunt Celia and Uncle Brent are divorcing?”

Holly nodded. “It looks like it.”

“What about Adam and Chantel?”

Holly shrugged.

Adam crouched on the bottom bunk bed and pounded his pillow again and again. “I hate them, I hate them, I hate them.” He collapsed on the mattress and pulled the duvet over his body so not even his head was exposed. He was as cold as ice—frozen with fear. What was going to happen to him and Chantel?

Adam … Adam … ADAM.
The voice in his head grew louder and more insistent.

Adam ignored it.

ADAM!
This time the voice roared though his whole being, making his body tingle.

GO AWAY!
Adam roared back in his mind.

The tingling grew stronger.
Adam … It is I…Myrddin.

Don't you get it? I don't care
. Adam pulled the duvet even more tightly around his head.
Go away! I don't
want to mindspeak.

A gentle warmth washed over his body, and he felt the presence not only of Myrddin, but the fleeting touch of Ava's wing on his forehead and the soft breath of a horse by his ear. Despite his anger and fear, the warmth relaxed him.
Wise Ones, please go away. I can't help
you now. Bad things are happening.

He felt another touch of Ava's wings
. We under
stand, Adam. We feel your pain. But you are not the
only human in despair. Many bad things are happening
on Gaia. The Dark Being is close, and darkness stirs
and thickens.

Adam stirred
. You mean if the Dark Being goes
away everything will be all right?
There was a pause. He slumped, sensing the answer before the Wise Ones spoke.
I know
…
You can't fix Mom and Dad. You can't
make them stop fighting. No one can.

You are correct, Adam.
Myrddin sighed.
We cannot
interfere between humans. We offer only the comfort
of Light. We work with Old Magic and with those who
willingly help, like you and the other Magic Children.
We are with you, Adam. Use our strength. Our pres
ence is around you. Light will ease your heartpain.

The sense of comfort and warmth helped melt the ice in his body. Adam buried his face in his pillow and cried hot tears. The tears drained him, but somehow their falling eased his pain. The Wise Ones stayed with him, soothing him, and when at last he fell into exhausted sleep, Myrddin was waiting in his dream.

Myrddin's cloak enfolded Adam's dreamself and swept him into the sky. Adam welcomed the distraction. Unlike his parents, Myrddin needed him, and Adam liked that. He watched the small village of Uffington fall away below and with it all his problems. First a feeling of great speed and a rushing of wind, then he and Myrddin touched down on an unfamiliar hilltop.

Adam looked across a valley toward a small city bathed in sunlight. It huddled around the base of a tower-topped hill.

“Hey, that's Glastonbury Tor,” said Adam. “B… but where did the city come from?” He stared down at the farmlands in the valley, flat fields crisscrossed with roads, ditches and dikes. “What happened to the lake?”

Myrddin's eyebrows raised. “You have traveled this way before?”

“Yes … I mean no … I mean … I had a nightmare and saw the Tor, only it was in the middle of a lake … and a warrior woman spoke to me from the tower.”

“Vivienne!” said Myrddin in disgust. “Huh.” He struck the ground with his walking stick.

“Yes, that's her name. Who is she? Is she bad news?” asked Adam.

Myrddin gave a bark of laughter. “Bad news? I suppose she is. Centuries ago she was my apprentice—until the lust for power overcame her, and she was imprisoned in the Tor.” He pointed with his stick to the valley. “Your dream showed the Tor's past, when a marshy lake filled the valley. People lived on small islands, and the Tor, the biggest island, was named Avalon.”

“Avalon!” said Adam eagerly. “As in King Arthur and the Isle of Avalon?”

Myrddin nodded slowly. “Yes, Glastonbury Tor is the Avalon of old. But King Arthur is different. Arthur was first Arto, a Magic Child like you. But memories of other Magic Children were woven into his story, so the tales of King Arthur are not about one person, but several.”

Adam's face fell. “King Arthur wasn't real … what a crock!”

Myrddin gave a deep chuckle. “Arto was real, and a feisty young Celt he was. But the stories came later. They grew in the way that stories do.” He laughed again and stretched his arms to the sky. “Even my role with Arto was misunderstood.”

“Your role, Myrddin? You were with Arthur … I mean Arto?” gabbled Adam. “Hey, I get it! You're Merlin, aren't you? You're King Arthur's magician!”

Myrddin drew himself up. “I am the Myrddin,” he rumbled. “I am no one's magician. I am the Myrddin, a Wise One, a keeper of Old Magic.” His eyes flashed.

“Hey, okay … Okay … I'm sorry,” stuttered Adam. “I didn't mean to insult you.”

Myrddin softened. “Yes, I am the Myrddin, the one that humans called Merlin. But like the tales of Arthur, the stories of Merlin were woven by people to make sense of powers they didn't comprehend. The truth remains simple. I am a Wise One, and the Tor is the Portal to many worlds.”

“That's what Vivienne said.” Adam stared at the Tor.

“Within the Portal are many doors. Through them the past, present and future of many universes can be reached. Vivienne keeps watch. Beings who intend harm to Gaia are directed elsewhere.”

“Then why are you worried about the Dark Being?” asked Adam.

“The Dark Being is the exception,” said Myrddin heavily. “Like the Wise Ones, she does not need the Portal.”

“Oh.” Adam shrank into himself.

“Sometimes Vivienne becomes angry and misdirects Portal users.” Myrddin sighed. “Sadly, she is often angry, for her job of Portal Keeper is a punishment.”

“You punished her?” asked Adam.

Myrddin shook his head. “Not I. She didn't listen. Instead of honoring Old Magic, she thought she was strong enough to make it do her bidding. At that time I, the Myrddin, was Gaia's Portal Keeper and Vivienne was my assistant. I came and went as the need arose. Vivienne was jealous of my power. My staff lay in the Lady's sanctuary, the Crystal Cave, protected by the rituals of Avalon. But temptation overcame Vivienne. She learned enough Old Magic to enter the Crystal Cave, seize my staff and try to wield it. I regained control, but not before the magic Vivienne had conjured wrapped around and bound her forever as Portal Keeper. The Lady's high priestess used Earth Magic to conceal my staff again. The Crystal Cave was sealed and Avalon abandoned in the hope that all would forget what power sleeps in the heart of the hill.”

“Wow! And Vivienne is Portal Keeper for ever?”

“Yes, unless …” Myrddin looked searchingly at Adam.

“Unless someone breaks the spell by offering to take her place.”

Adam shuddered. “No way! Vivienne gives me the creeps. I hate her whispering.” He clapped his hands over his ears. “I wouldn't listen. I thought about you instead. But then I felt her presence again this morning.”

Myrddin looked troubled. “When, Adam?”

“When a spiral labyrinth appeared on our lawn.”

Myrddin stamped his stick on the ground again. “How dare she!” He glowered at the Tor. “Vivienne's power is growing as the Dark Being approaches. Be on your guard.”

“No problem,” said Adam. “I'm not going near her.”

“Unfortunately it's not that simple,” rumbled Myrddin.

Adam shrugged. “Look, just tell me how to get your staff, okay?”

Myrddin pointed toward the Tor. “You must tread the Spiral Labyrinth, enter the Portal and ask Vivienne to reveal the entrance to the Crystal Cave.”

Adam's jaw dropped. “But … but … you told me to keep away from her.”

“I said be on your guard; you cannot avoid her. Vivienne may distract you, offer you choices. Keep your destination clearly in mind so she cannot divert you. You can do this Adam. You have experienced dragon talk. You know how to ignore a silver tongue with promises of power.”

Adam thought back to the first adventure and hung his head. “I failed,” he muttered. “I believed the dragon.”

“No,” said Myrddin. “You did not fail. In the end you resisted the temptations the dragon offered. You encouraged Holly to sacrifice the talisman. That was not failure. You showed great strength.”

Myrddin squeezed Adam's shoulder.

Adam trembled. “Myrddin, I'm scared.”

Myrddin's face was sad. He said nothing.

Adam's voice shook. “I'll mess up again. Mom says I always mess up. Please … can't you do it?”

“The door and the treasure you seek are protected by Earth Magic,” murmured Myrddin. “Earth, air, fire and water. Only humans can weave them together to lock and unlock Earth Magic at will.”