Jack Shian and the King's Chalice (23 page)

He looked hard at those Brashat who were starting to come round from their hexes.

“The old ways have gone. The Shian world cannot return to the past. More and more, you must live alongside the humans. For some,” and now Matthew looked over at Petros, Rana and Lizzie, “they are even your cousins.”

“The Dameves have pushed us to the very edge of our world!” Rowan had now recovered enough to shout. “Would you let them push us over?”

Oobit levelled his sceptre at Rowan, which had the effect of shutting him up.

“All creatures are connected – in heaven and on earth and under the earth. The hidden commonwealth must now decide the destiny of the Chalice.”

“The Chalice does not grant power over death, as some have claimed,” announced Matthew. “Nor does it control Nature – that is
infama
. But on exceptional days, a true believer’s love can win out, even up to the point of death. It was made for Comgall and his monks, who taught that death is not the end. Summoned tonight, they are more than human ghosts, for ghosts cannot wield swords.”

“Their swords are iron.” Another Brashat spoke up. “Even dead, the humans are a danger to Shian.”

“Yes, our swords are iron, like the axes of the longship warriors,” said Comgall.

A large warrior stood up, and Jack sensed some of the crowd shrinking back as he brandished his axe.

“These Norse warriors plundered Comgall’s abbey,” interjected Matthew. “That is why they came tonight; they are linked with this place. In life, some went on to Ireland, leaving the Chalice there. Many years after, it turned up in the French king’s court. Centuries later, it was gifted to a prince who came to these lands, but the prince lost it in a wager with a chieftain, who followed him to war. A love rival killed the chieftain’s son, and hid the Chalice in a cave. Legends grew around it. In time, these were written down. Finding that book laid bare the location of the Chalice.”

The Brashat, slowly recovering from their hexes, muttered amongst themselves, but none dared to speak.

“So who’s going to get it, then?” asked Jack. “This is getting complicated.”

Petros shrugged his shoulders.

“My friends,” began Cosmo, stepping forward, “the Stone’s return did not bring the prosperity we expected. But it is only one of three treasures; the Chalice is another. The third – an ancient globe – remains lost. Manuscripts tell of three treasures producing a great power. The Stone and the Chalice should be together. In time, we hope the globe will join them.”

Briannan got unsteadily to his feet. “We do not have the Stone. The Dameves have it, with iron rings in a glass-iron case we cannot break. Would you give them the Cup as well?”

Grandpa Sandy got up now. His voice was weak again, and he swayed alarmingly. “It is true that iron prevents us from touching the Stone, but there is no doubt that it gives us much of our old power. And if the Chalice helps, then it
must
go to the Stone, in the humans’ castle.”

“That means that only you can see them!” retorted Briannan, his strength returning.

“If the Chalice goes to one group, I fear there will be warfare for years,” said Matthew. “In and below the humans’ castle it can be shared by all – Shian and human. The triple spiral represents something above both human and Shian worlds.”

“Then what does it mean?” demanded Briannan.

“To answer that we must find the Sphere,” said Cosmo. “But the treasures are linked. The Chalice must be shared between the Shian square and the Stone Room in the humans’ castle.”

Briannan was not persuaded, but the close attention of the Cos-Howe contingent, who kept their sceptres trained on the remnants of his army, prevented him from making any moves. There was a general murmuring around the forum as the various groups discussed what should happen. Gradually the muttering softened, and one of the Elle-folk stood up.

“We have links to the Norse ghosts. The Chalice did not bring them success for long. We agree that it can join the Stone, as long as they belong to all Shian.”

Jack, his burnt face now almost healed, saw Atholmor and Grandpa Sandy – apparently recovered – whispering urgently. Then Atholmor stood up.

“We concede that the treasures must be shared. We will arrange for the Chalice to be kept in the humans’ castle and in the Shian square, six months each.”

“Thank you,” said Matthew. “And do the Phooka and the pisgies also agree?”

There was a brief flurry of excitement within each group, and then the answer came back that yes, they had reached the same conclusion. The korrigan and the dwarves also indicated their assent, but Tomte, the Congress dwarf, stood up, glowering.

“But what will happen to the Brashat? They stole the Chalice for their own ends. They will threaten us again if they are not taken care of.”

“The Brashat who took part in tonight’s battle will be punished,” said Matthew. “But the world has changed. Although our Norse friends do not agree, the punishment is no longer death.”

“Put them to the iron!” shouted Henri. “It is the punishment for all Unseelie who cause mayhem.”

Jack recalled how Grulsh’s friends had been melted into the war memorial in Claville. Some of the Brashat had obviously heard of this punishment too, for they started twitching nervously.

“We will not be putting them to the iron,” said Cosmo firmly.

“And have them return to kill us in our beds?” shouted Tomte.

“They will be punished, but a just punishment, to be decided here by the whole commonwealth. Three years suspended is fair.”

“Five years!” shouted a voice from the assembly.

Jack stood up. “My father’s suspended ten years, and I don’t even know where he is!”

There was a moment of silence. Grandpa put his hand gently on Jack’s shoulder. Jack didn’t know what he felt. While delighted that they had retrieved the Chalice, still his anger cried out for the Brashat to be punished.

A sneering look came over Briannan’s face.

“Konan escaped, but your fool of a father didn’t. He’ll be there forever.”

“I hope you rot there forever!” shouted Jack angrily, tears in his eyes. “And if Konan’s so smart, how come he’s dead?”

“Jack,” said his grandfather softly, “Konan’s not dead. And Briannan will be punished. Being suspended is like feeling you’ll never get away. It empties you.” Then he saw Jack’s sad eyes reproaching him.

“I’m sorry. That makes it no easier for you. But we have to remember that tonight Briannan has been defeated. We must not be bitter in our victory.”

Cosmo came up. “He’s right, Jack. It’s difficult, but the power of Gosol demands that we are not vengeful.”

“If Gosol’s so powerful, how come it can’t bring my parents back to me?” shouted Jack, fighting back the tears.

“I … I don’t know.” Cosmo tried to smile reassuringly, but Jack’s pain wouldn’t go away.

Cosmo then turned and indicated to Comgall and the Cos-Howe crew. The Brashat and Hobshee were made to stand together, Briannan and Rowan at the front.

“For your part in the theft of this Chalice, which belongs to all, and for your collective attempts to kill several children, you will be put in suspension for a period of three years,” said Atholmor sternly. “You will be kept in the Cave of the Skulls. Your own children will be spared; their part can be excused.”

Without further word, Atholmor pointed his sceptre at the group, and a bolt shot from it. The Brashat and Hobshee began to glow, then rose from the ground as one. Then, over just a few seconds, they faded from view.

Jack saw Morrigan hug Fenrig, under the watchful eyes of Oobit and Tom. For a few moments, there was silence around the forum. Comgall pointed Briannan’s sceptre upwards once more, and slowly the night sky began to darken. Even with the moonlight, it took Jack’s eyes some time to readjust.

“The Fool of the Forth has terrorised a weak and divided Shian for centuries. But he is no match for those who truly believe in the power of goodness, and who have the Chalice,” announced Matthew. “You must work now to discover the Sphere, to complete the trinity of treasures. Go well. Go in peace.”

“Time to go,” said Doonya simply, ushering the youngsters together. “We’ll use the low road, that’s quickest. It’s the hermit’s cell. Ossian can fly the horses back to Keldy.”

“You mean we could’ve used a low road to get here?” asked Rana.

“It’s just as well we didn’t know about it, though,” replied Jack. “If we had, we wouldn’t have asked Ossian to help, then we wouldn’t have had Cosmo and the others.”

“Who was that up on the castle roof, Dad?” asked Petros.

“That was Amadan – the Fool of the Forth. His demons were pulling him back – they must have sensed the power we had with the Chalice. He doesn’t often beat a retreat, but we got the better of him somehow.”

“You mean, Jack took on Amadan?” said Petros breathlessly. “Wicked!”

“Jack weakened him, and Cosmo helped to finish him off,” continued Doonya. “That was brave of you, Jack, but you know you’re not supposed to use a sceptre.”

Jack felt drained. Praised and scolded in the one sentence. Wordlessly, he handed the sceptre over to his uncle. There was so much he didn’t understand, but he could take no more in just now. Lizzie yawned, and it was infectious.

“Time to get you lot home,” said Doonya gently. “Armina will take Grandpa back.”

“What’ll happen to Fenrig?” asked Jack. “Will he go back to his mother?”

“It’s a long story, Jack, but Fenrig’s mother’s not around. I think Atholmor would rather have him and his sister where he can keep an eye on them. That’s why Atholmor allowed Fenrig under the castle in the first place. He knows Fenrig’s not the brightest candle in the box; he hoped that he’d give away more than he found out.”

“You mean, they won’t be punished at all?” said Petros.

“They’re young, and they were led by their father. They can’t be blamed for what he did. But you lot will have to keep an eye on them for us.”

“Fenrig’s not that stupid,” said Jack, a thousand thoughts whirling around in his mind. “He worked out how to make himself invisible; he stole the manuscripts, and found out about us going for the Cup.”

“You’re right. We underestimated him. We won’t make that mistake again.”

Once all were inside what was left of the hermit’s cell, Doonya put his cloak around the four youngsters.

“Wind-flock castle!” he called, and Jack felt the by now familiar spinning sensation.

It was the longest low road journey Jack had made, although it still only took a few minutes. Jack’s head buzzed with thoughts, but he was too tired to make sense of these now. He just wanted to fall into bed.

Jack slept like a log, but when he finally awoke, he still felt drained. The Chalice was safe, and the Brashat beaten, but somehow he felt hollow. He found Rana and Lizzie in the kitchen, whispering together, and giggling.
Why do girls do that?
he wondered.

Aunt Katie came in, and beamed a sad smile at him. “You’ve no idea what you put me through, disappearing like that.”

“We were fine, Mum,” said Lizzie as she cradled a restless Nuxie. “We can look after ourselves.”

“Aye, well, I’m just glad to get you all back in one piece.”

“Have I missed work today?”

“It doesn’t matter. Grandpa’s explained things to Gilmore. He says you can have tomorrow morning off as well, but you’ll have your lesson with Daid after lunch.”

“Is Grandpa OK?” asked Jack.

“Armina’s checked him over – she says he’s grand,” said Aunt Katie happily. “And did she look at that burn on your face?”

“It’s fine; she put some cold charm stones on it. She says there won’t be a scar.”

“There’ll be a big party in the square on Friday evening.”

“We’re celebrating getting the Cup,” announced Rana.

“The Chalice, you mean,” said Katie. “We’ll have to learn to call it that. The Congress are arranging for it to be placed in the castle. The humans will be delighted – they love all that historical stuff.”

“So we really do have to give it to them, then?”

“Share it – it will move between the human space up above and here. We have common concerns. It’s just taken some Shian longer to realise that, that’s all. Our family – well, you know our history.”

“Realise what?” asked Petros, entering the room and yawning expansively.

“That things are changing,” said his mother. “Now, what would you all like to eat?”

After lunch the next day, Jack made his way to Daid’s house. He could see the other apprentices whispering amongst themselves as he approached.

“Hi, Jack,” called out Purdy. “We heard you had some fun yesterday. Are you going to tell us about it?”

“Was your granddad really dead? And you charmed him back?” Kaol’s eyes were wide with admiration.

“No, I—”

“Did you really meet ghost warriors?” gasped Séan. “What happened when the Brashat got suspended?”

“And you even attacked Amadan?” Boyce gave Jack a look that might almost have been respect. “The baddest Unseelie of the lot? I heard he can kill just by looking at you.”

The questions bewildered Jack – there was still so much to piece together in his own mind. Relief flooded through him as Daid opened the front door and ushered the class in.

When they were all seated, Daid began.

“I’m sure we’d all like to hear Jack’s stories about Dunvik, but we need to give him some space, so I propose to tell you a little of the Cup’s background.”

There was an audible sigh of disappointment around the room, but the apprentices settled down to listen.

“The tales are in Purdy’s book. Around a hundred and fifty years ago, a rather eccentric woman went travelling around the more remote parts of the country. She later published her journal of stories. One was the legend of a chalice, plundered by Vikings and returned centuries later by a young prince, come to fight for the throne. He was a very
human
human, if you know what I mean, having a fondness for gambling and strong drink.”

Séan and Boyce exchanged knowing smirks.

“Well, he gambled away the Cup, and it got passed to a chieftain’s son, who loved a beautiful young woman. But she was betrothed to a poor fisherman, and when the two men quarrelled, the chieftain’s son was killed. The fisherman panicked and hid in a cave. Sadly for him, the cave was a ‘thin place’, an entrance to the Shian world, and the creatures under the cave lured him away from the Cup and killed him. But the fisherman must have charmed the Cup, because the Shian couldn’t move it. Once a year, the Cup would glow on Hallows’ Eve.”