Book Two : The Dragons Egg : VI : Isle of Man : Draft

VI

Isle of Man

15^th April 1941

Eveline

“There, there,” William soothed kindly to a vomiting Olivia, whose head along with Eveline’s was bent over a plastic bowl. Trying to keep the sickness down, Eveline closed her eyes, the swaying of the steam boat, highlighting the constant threat of being sick. It had seemed that out of the six dozen passengers, most being made up of foreign internments heading to an internment camp in Douglas- Eveline and Olivia were the only to succumb to sea sickness. She could feel the eyes of German and Austrian prisoners as she sat bent double over her bowl, her auburn hair being gently held back by the kind Edward. As she sat, her head spinning as well as her stomach, she watched Matthew peering out of the round window. With a flashing grin upon his face he rushed over to the company.

“We have made port!” he gushed, his voice loud and clear for all to here. Instead of seeing relief flood the faces of the war prisoners, Eveline observed the fear and unknown in them and felt a great flood of pity flow through her. She had not known much about the activities of the Isle of Man during the Second World War; she was however afforded an in depth, detailed account of their affairs by Edward, when not vomiting. She had despite her current predicament, absorbed the information carefully. It seemed the RAF had established an aerodrome at a place known as Jurby, on the North West coast of the island, it was being used as a training camp for air gunners. The airport a Ronaldsway was also being used as a base for a Ground Defence Gunners School. As interesting as all this information was to Eveline, she couldn’t help feel sorry for the prisoners of war, many of whom when looking upon them, she knew wouldn’t or couldn’t be possible of war crimes, most of them looked to be artists and writers. She wondered what would happen to them, and wondered further if their fates were destined to be similar to the fates of those taken to camps across Europe. Would the British be as forgiving? Would they treat their prisoners fairly?

“How are you feeling now?” Edward asked kindly, his eyes upon Eveline as she gazed across at the pensive looking prisoners. Eveline turned her face to Edward and could see that he too shared in her worries. It was odd she thought to herself a moment, his eyes were grey and yet they seemed to change colour, specks of gold, green and blue suddenly appearing from nowhere. In the last week, she and her fellow companions had settled into an easy friendship, but Edward in particular had taken Eveline under his wing and had for the first time in her life, acted as a fatherly parent. At first she found it oddly suspicious, but as the days went by, she grew accustomed to his kindness and friendship. He and Eveline has spent a good deal of time, huddled together before the small fire, discussing various issues and subjects. Knowing his time with her would be short, he began almost instantly to teach her the ways of magic and with each day, she learnt a new and vital method of protection and could for the first time feel that her energy and powers were being used productively. She had developed a soft spot for the middle aged man, quiet in his ways but passionate in his conquest to create unity between those who held magical abilities. She knew from his in depth discussions on his family, that he loved them dearly and that despite his current location, he was greatly missing his wife and daughters. Eveline felt jealous of his children, and in turn found herself having to deal with the grief of being parentless and orphaned.

“What will happen to them?” she asked quietly, her hands tightening around the bowl as she tried to fight back the urge to vomit once more. Edward tilted his head slightly, a stray lock of greying hair falling over his right eye.

“I suppose they will be kept within some sort of camp and kept there until the war ends,” he replied darkly.

“They look nothing like treasonous enemies, don’t you think?”

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”

“They cannot all be wolves in sheep’s clothing surely?” Eveline enquired with a quick roll of her golden eyes.

“I doubt they are,” Edward smiled. “But they all seem to be quite fixated on you.”

“My eyes you mean,” Eveline blushed, surprised that there was warm blood within her veins.

“If they are artists, then I am sure they are feeling blessed to be in the presence of one who has such rare eyes,” Edward said kindly. “Now, do you think you may hold off on vomiting until we get off this ship?”

“I think so,” Eveline said, her face pale and drawn. With the swooshing of nausea still causing a storm within her stomach, she weakly handed Edward the bowl with an apologetic look upon her face.

“For God’s sake Olivia, do you always have to be so damned annoying!” came Williams’s frustrated voice. Edward and Eveline turned their heads to the arguing friends.

“Me, annoying?” Olivia thundered, her face green and her hands shaking. “I asked you to hold my hair back for me, not to rip it out of my head!”

“I am trying to help you!” William spat as Olivia retched loudly, gasps coming from the onlookers, who seemed to be both exhilarated and pensive about the drama unfolding.

“Why can’t you just act like a….” Olivia stopped talking and turned fiercely to the bowl and vomited, her body shaking and her back bent over in pain.

“You know there are a few distinct moments in which I almost believe that your friends are grown up, distinguished adults,” Eveline whispered under her breathe to Edward. “And then they fall into a childish squabble and I am reprimanded by the truth.”

“They have always been like children when put together,” Edward smiled warmly. “One just gets used to it after a time.”

“Doesn’t it drive you mad?”

“At first, but when it comes down to it, they are both excellent in their fields of work,” Edward said with a loyal nod. “And so, I would rather put up with their childish moaning that not have them at all.”

“It seems that William is always toying with Olivia,” Eveline groaned as she lay her body back against the steel back of the chair. “I feel sorry for her.”

“Despite outward appearances, they have great affection for each other and would do anything for one another,” Edward replied as he buttoned up his long, black coat.

“Hmm.”

Olivia now sitting upwards once more, glanced over at Eveline with tear stained eyes. Eveline felt sorrow for her new friend and merely gave her an apologetic smile as William, gently held her golden hair back.

“We are here now,” she said to Olivia.

“I don’t think I will be able to travel today,” Olivia said in return, her long legs folded tightly together; a ladder running up one of her stockings. “How do you feel?”

“I feel as though I have been spinning through the tunnel of time,” Eveline said, her right hand protectively laying over her stomach as though soothing it.

“Do you think we will be able to find somewhere to rest for a few hours?”

“I wouldn’t know,” Eveline said with a shrug. “I have never been to the Isle of Man before.”

As both woman spoke to each other, William heralded over Matthew.

“Look as much as I would like to get these women to our friend,” William said under his breathe to Matthew, with a sly look upon his face at the mention of friend. “I think we need to let them have a few hours of gentle rest.”

“I think you are right,” Matthew said with his right hand propped under his chin, thoughtfully, his eyes observing the pathetic looking creatures. “I know a small café which may suite their needs and when they are resting, we can find someone to take us to Peel Castle.”

“Ah yes, I suppose we should leave Edward with the ladies?”

Edward looked at both Eveline and Olivia and nodded his head in agreement.

“I need a mug of hot water and lemon,” Olivia groaned as she fixed herself.

“I need to lie down,” Eveline returned as she placed her velvet hat upon her thick hair, now in a mess, long tresses falling around her face.

“Don’t worry ladies, we will find you somewhere in which to compose yourself,” William teased gently as he stood away from Olivia and organised the suitcases.

“He is the bane of my existence,” Olivia whispered hotly to Eveline as she came to sit beside her, her stomach feeling lighter as the ship stopped moving.

“I think you are both under the layers of nuisance, very fond of each other,” Eveline smiled as she put her leather gloves on.

“How did you come to that conclusion?” Olivia said with raised brows.

“Oh, just a nudge I suppose,” Eveline laughed lightly, placing a hand upon Olivia’s. “Why is it that you argue so much?”

“I suppose, I have never truly thought about it,” Olivia said with glazed eyes. “Since we met as young children, we have always fought with one another.”

“Like siblings?”

“Exactly like siblings,” Olivia said with a weak grin upon her red stained lips. Eveline watched as the beautiful young woman, opened her purse and took out a small mirror and a silver welded lipstick. She watched with keen curiosity as she applied a dark, red lipstick to her lips. Eveline rarely applied makeup to her face, red lip stick clashing against her fiery hair. She had never really been all that interested in make up or fancy clothes, but it seemed that Olivia, for all her uptight ways, was very fashion forward and Eveline wondered if it was a way in which Olivia could cover any traces of vulnerability. It seemed that William had the power to see through his friends beauty, and from keen observation, Eveline realised that it was for this reason that they bickered so much. “How do I look?” Olivia asked, swinging her eyes round to Eveline, wide and green.

“No one would suspect that you have spent over an hour being sick into a bowl,” Eveline smiled kindly, a little jealous of her friend’s beauty.

“Would you like to use some lippy?” Olivia asked airily.

“No, it seems to clash too heavily with my auburn hair,” Eveline lied. It wasn’t untrue this statement, but if truth be told, Eveline already felt the heated gazes of those who gazed upon her with shocked and at times, disgusted faces. Why would she draw attention to herself, when being herself drew too much unwanted attention?

“I see.”

It didn’t take long for the company to make their way off the ship and as Eveline stepped out onto the harbour at Douglas she drew in a breathe at the scenery which was laid before her. A great pier of Victorian houses, lined the front of the great promenade in a glorious way. She had never seen such a row of houses and was flummoxed at their dainty beauty. She could see horse trams travelling up and down the front and was amazed to see a healthy population of people also walking up and down the front. As she gazed on, she could feel the five dozen or so prisoners being rounded up by soldiers. As they passed her by, she gave them apologetic glances and at times waved to the young women. As they walked away, she lifted her gaze and let it settle upon the distant hills which lay behind the large town. They were soft and rolling, like the gentle hills of Keswick. The air about her was salty and fresh and the sea choppy. Now she understood why Douglas had been such a hot spot for holidaying tourists. It was a beautiful town and what surprised her the most, was the beautiful countryside, with its rolling hills and organic green grass, which when struck by the rays of the spring sun, turned into a haven of colour. The nausea which had rendered her cripple, had suddenly vanished and as she allowed Olivia to guide her up the harbour, followed by Matthew, Edward and William she felt her heart do a flip. She knew it was wrong and almost perverse to feel such elated feelings of happiness, when her current predicament was anything but, but she just couldn’t help herself. So long had she been immersed in a cloud of misery and pessimism. If she could for a few minutes take off the cloak of oppression, then so be it.

“Beautiful is it not?” Olivia enquired, both their arms interlocked.

“I am pleasantly surprised,” Eveline returned, using her free hand to control her hat as the wind was up.

“As was I when I first arrived here some years back,” Olivia smiled, her eyes curiously keen on Eveline.

“You know, I do not feel as sick as I did on the boat.”

“Well that is because we are on land now!”

“Yes, I suppose so.”

The ladies made their way towards the promenade, by passing a large, Victorian clock which stood before a large hotel, called Villiers.

“Ladies should we head into the hotel?” Matthew enquired, coming to their sides, his arms filled with cases. Eveline looked at him, his hat, falling down upon his face and reached up to correct it.

“I think that would be a good idea Matthew,” she said with a reassuring smile. His blue eyes sparkling, Matthew smiled in return.

“Right.”

Together the company crossed the narrow road and made their way through the double doors, entering the Victorian hotel, which lay sandwiched between Regent Street and Victoria Street. Inside, they were met with a large dining area, which was gently populated with groups of young women and children. Eveline unpinned her hat and took it off, her eyes scanning the area. It was as though she had stepped into the Victorian era, the carpet a rich red and the décor finely furnished. To her left was a small reception for those that were staying overnight. Two young women, dressed in uniform stood behind the desk, their eyes on the new customers.

“Well this seems perfect for some lunch and resting, don’t you think Livy?” William asked Olivia, his flirtatious eyes upon the young women, who both seemed to relish the attention, their red lips pursued and eyes sparkling.

“Yes indeed,” Olivia muttered under her breathe, tugging at Eveline.

“Why don’t you ladies go and find a table near to a window overlooking the sea?” Edward said gently as he nudged William hard in the side. Without a response, Olivia almost dragged Eveline through the dining area, towards a free table which lay beside a large window overlooking the promenade. With a groan she fell into a chair and slammed her hat down upon the table and let out a muffled swear word. Eveline’s heavy, arched brows rose in surprise and again she wondered at the tense relationship between Olivia and William, was there something amiss?

“The world would be a better place, if Mr Talbot would find himself a wife,” Olivia said as she took off her heavy coat and wrapped about the frame of her chair.

“I wonder he has not, being so…well so…” Eveline couldn’t find the words, because in truth she thought there were none.

“Don’t worry, I know what you mean,” Olivia smiled as she picked up a small menu and read from it.

“I don’t think I can eat after this morning,” Eveline admitted as she too looked down through the menu. “I think I could about manage a slice of toast and butter with hot water.”

“Me too!” Olivia sighed as she laid the menu down and folded her arms, her green eyes cast out to the choppy sea. Eveline sat back in her chair and watched the young woman, her eyes heavy and distant. Without sensing him, Edward came to the table.

“Would you mind terribly if I was to join Matthew and William?” he enquired, his fine hat in his hand. Olivia, unable to take her eyes away from the scenery shrugged.

“I think we shall be fine here Edward, you may join Matthew and William if you wish,” Eveline said with astute confidence. “I doubt that we are in mortal danger.”

“Remember wolves in sheep’s wool,” Edward smiled with knowing eyes.

“She will be safe with me Edward,” Olivia interrupted, waving her hand at him with agitation.

“Right, well, then I should leave you both,” Edward said with an uncomfortable look upon his face, his eyes strained. Eveline looked at him with sympathy before he turned and walked away, joining Matthew and William at the double doors. With kindness she waved to the men before a young waitress came over. Both Eveline and Olivia ordered a round of toast and two cups of hot water with slices of lemon. When at last they were alone, Eveline observed Olivia keenly, she had a gentle hand over her abdomen protectively, her long fingers stroking her stomach.

“I know that you say yourself and William have always fought, but why do I not believe you?” she asked lightly, seeing her friend freeze at the words.

“We have had our moments over the years,” Olivia replied quietly, turning her sea green eyes to Eveline.

“It seems to me as though there is something tense that hangs between you both.”

“There is truth in your words,” Olivia replied, turning her head away again. “We have not spoken in over a year until now.”

“May I ask why?” Eveline enquired, resting her elbows upon the table and letting her weary head fall into the palms of her hands. Olivia let out a ragged breathe and closed her eyes tightly as though the thought pained her terribly.

“When my husband left to join the war, I found out that I was pregnant with our first child,” she began, her voice cracking under the pressure of the memory. Eveline could see the tears that rimmed her eyes and felt a sadness, knowing the story was to have no happy ending. “We had been trying for over two years to conceive a child and when we found out, we were both elated beyond our wildest dreams. It made our parting more bearable, knowing that when he returned, he would return a father. He bade me to give up teaching, so that I wouldn’t put any pressure on the child, but I refused, being head strong and stubborn as I am. It is a hard world we women live in and so I refused to give up my job, to indulge the sexist myth of childbearing.”

“He was worried,” Eveline interjected, immediately regretting her words as Olivia shook her head in disbelief.

“Worried as he was about me, he sent for William, believing his presence would somehow secure our child further,” Olivia almost laughed. “William was on a sabbatical and touring the Highlands, a proficient lover of Scottish history.” The young waitress which had taken their order appeared with a tray. Both Olivia and Eveline became quiet until the waitress walked away, leaving them to pour their own hot water and butter their toast. When they were content once more, both sipping on their water with joy, Olivia spoke up once more. “He took me with him during his tours and we had the best of fun together, with my child growing in my womb. I remember the first time, I had felt her kick. I cried with bitter joy, wishing to have shared such a moment with my husband, but instead it was a moment which I shared with William, whilst we were out for a walk.” A tear dropped from her eye and rolled down her cheek slowly. “All of the moments that I should have shared with Andrew were moments shared with William, and I didn’t mind at all, in fact it was nice to have the company, my parents living so far south and both my brothers also fighting. When finally I was in the late stages of my pregnancy, we both stayed put in Edinburgh and counted down the days. My mother was making her way north, to spend the next six months with me and so I was excited.”

“It must have been daunting, the prospect of giving birth without your husband there,” Eveline asked as she buttered a slice of toast. Olivia somehow unable to speak, simply nodded.

“I had asked William to leave his washing by the foot of the stairs one evening, whilst he was going to collect my mother from the station,” Olivia went on, the hand about her stomach tightening. “It was an ordinary evening, the house was quiet and the radio was on. I had been busy clearing a room for my mother and had for a while spent time in the nursery, preparing for my daughters arrival, one could call it nesting. I remember quite clearly, seeing two woodpigeon sitting upon the window ledge of her window and watching them curiously. I suppose they were mates, both involved in a mating dance, their heads beautifully swaying in the air around them, touching every few seconds as though in recognition of each other. I was mesmerised by their act of love, never really observing it before in pigeons. When finally they flew away, I stood up and exited the nursery, my heart warmed and excited. The music flowing from the radio, wafted its way up the stairs and I caught myself dancing to it, silly I know,” Olivia blushed slightly at her words. Eveline didn’t think it silly in the least, she was a keen lover of dancing herself and understood the fluttery feelings it encouraged. “As I was dancing, I didn’t notice the basket of clothing, which lay close to the stairs…” Eveline could see how Olivia’s body contorted into a painful position. “I fell over the basket and down the flight of stairs, hitting my head off the bannister cleanly, knocking myself out.” Eveline felt her heart stop with shock. As she tried to calm herself, she noticed Olivia taking out a small necklace, which seemed to be locket, with the initial F engraved upon it. “When I woke up, I was saturated in blood from my thighs down. My body began to contract almost immediately and I found myself in labour. I couldn’t walk, the pain unbearable and my vision impaired, so I crawled to the living room. It happened so fast, I can scarcely remember the details. Time seemed to freeze and I wondered where William and my mother had gone too and then I gave birth to her…” Olivia bite down on her lip fiercely, her eyes filled with large buds of hot water. Eveline immediately moved her chair over to Olivia and placed a firm hand upon her own.

“You don’t have to say anymore,” she soothed gently, using her fingers to stroke her friend’s skin lightly.

“She was so beautiful,” Olivia chocked, her free hand clutching at her necklace. “She had fair hair like me and blue eyes like her father. She was the picture of ethereal beauty and innocence as though the fall had never happened. Her hands were so tiny and her nails soft. Her body was long like her fathers and she was full and warm in my arms. Her nose was a bud, filled with stubbornness and determination. But she was motionless and without breathe. I tried to bring her to life but could not and when my mother and William finally arrived home, they found me in a mess of blood with my lifeless child in my arms.”

“How beautiful she looks,” Eveline whispered softly, her mind filled with the image of the baby.

“She was…so…so very beautiful,” Olivia whispered hotly, unable to control herself. “It felt as though time had frozen in the days after and I could not stay away from her grave.”

“That is to be expected,” Eveline counselled kindly. “May I ask her name?”

“I called her Flora, her blue eyes reminding me of bluebells,” Olivia wept inwardly. Slowly and cautiously she opened her locket and took out a small lock of golden hair. “She was a golden as the sun.” Eveline looked down at the lock of hair and felt tears prick at her eyes. After a moment, Olivia placed the hair back within the folds of the locket and closed it over. “I found that I could not speak or be around William afterwards and so he left me and my mother stayed with me for the next nine months.”

“But he did not mean to cause harm,” Eveline interceded with sensitivity.

“I know, but no matter how illogical it seemed, at the time I felt it was his fault,” Olivia said quietly. “My beautiful child, so precious and without fault died because of a basket.”

“So that is why you both seem tense?”

“Yes,” Olivia said with a nod. “Now being a little bit further away from that day, I understand that it was not his fault. But my reaction towards him seems to have dented me in his eyes, and I fear he will never fully allow himself to be close to me as we once were.”

“What about you?”

“I see the pain I have caused him and still cause him, and I feel anger at myself.”

“There was nothing irrational in the way you saw the situation or reacted,” Eveline said with a frown. “If he hated you in the way you believe, then he wouldn’t have held your hair out of your face for over an hour.”

“But I cannot help my bitter comments,” Olivia said with an air of shame. “I don’t know why I say or do the things I do, but I just do.”

“One of the common side effects of loss, is the self-loathing we feel towards ourselves,” Eveline said with a sigh. “I swear if there was a prize in self-loathing, I may just beat you to it.”

“I do not know how you have dealt with all that has befallen you recently,” Olivia said as she wiped her face with a handkerchief. “How you still function is in my eyes courageous and amazing.”

“You know, I am not sure I do function,” Eveline admitted for the first time. “It almost feels as though I am walking blindly through life, not really caring about all that is around me. I hate myself so much, I cannot afford to let myself feel anything but negativity. If it wasn’t for me and my existence….well then the stars would be aligned.”

“You had no control over what happened to your parents or your adopted mother and guardians,” Olivia said with a serious expression. “You may think you did, but please listen to me when I tell you that you did not. You tried in the best way possible to save those you loved and in particular situations, it just isn’t enough.”

“But I, being the granddaughter of a God should have had the power to save them,” Eveline whispered as she lowered her golden gaze to the cup of boiling water, a slice of lemon dancing upon the surface. “I am useless and I have left my husband with a broken heart. I am meant to be a beacon of hope to those who are relying upon me and yet I feel as though I am dashing that hope, as though it will not be my enemies that brings doom upon the universe, that it will be my actions that cause such destruction.”

“Eveline, you push yourself too hard,” Olivia warned, her eyes now dry and filled with concern. “I cannot lay judgment on your marriage, but in the matters outside of your marriage, I can tell you now that it was out of your hands. You cannot suddenly expect yourself to be equal to Heiden, it will take time and much patience. That is why we are here is it not? To offer you support and to help you to grow.”

“Why do I feel sceptical of this Merlin? My mind and knowledge of his existence tells me that I should be excited and astonished, yet in my heart I feel cautious and cynical.”

“You are not the only one that shares in those concerns,” Olivia smiled with a knowing glance. “William idolises the wizard, but there are many in our community that do not see Merlin in that light. Power can do strange things to a person and those who have great power can do unspeakable things if they wish.”

“Why do you not like him?” Eveline asked, a question which had been quietly simmering in the last few days. Olivia shuffled about in her chair awkwardly.

“When a man is given so much power and authority, I believe it may blind him in matters,” Olivia said with feeling, her fists curling up into small balls. “I cannot say that I am totally against him and the druids that idolise his- he has in the past done many a great thing, but he has also done things that I believe should have been investigated.”

“What do you mean?” Eveline asked, moving her head closer to Olivia, aware of the direct gazes of those sitting close to them.

“The disappearances at Ravinston are believed to be the work of a young man called, Whylen- a former pupil of the school,” Olivia said as she fumbled with her locket, her thin, fair brows drawn together in thought. “He is much younger than I, in fact I would say he is around your age. But he is a prized child, and prized most of all by Merlin, who has brought him up here on the Isle of Man. I had left school when he was going into his second year, and by then he had accumulated quite the reputation for all the wrong reasons.”

“He was a naughty child?” Eveline said with a confused expression.

“No, he is one of the most gifted children Merlin has ever come across, but for all his gifts, he is acutely peculiar and troubled,” Olivia shivered at the memory of meeting the boy several years ago. “It was actually here that I met him.”

“Are you sure he isn’t just a deeply misunderstood child?” Eveline asked with hope.

“At first that is what I thought, but then I observed him over the course of three weeks and was despite my maternal feelings, assured that he was trouble.”

“But what would make you think such a thing about a child?”

“I was walking through the woods one morning and I came across Whylen, he was hunting deer and so, curious as I was about the child, I stood and watched him. A doe came into view and so dainty and delicate she was, I thought to myself, how is he going to kill her in a manner that was humane and kind? But there is no humanity within him, no kindness is nestled within his mind, he is devoid of feeling as I then came to understand, in a display of cruelty, I have never before seen,” Olivia said, shaking her head in disgust, the cry of the doe still causing her to feel distressed. “First, he broke her legs and she fell to the ground, her cries so pained that I fell to the ground with her.” Eveline felt a familiar sickness stir within her at Olivia’s words. “And then with his peculiar powers, he ripped apart her organs, one by one, until there was nothing left but her heart.” Eveline felt her body retch. “He got up from his position and without care walked over to the doe and plunged his hand into her chest and tore out her heart and this part, I warn you still has the power to make me vomit…he ate the heart of the doe.”

Silence fell over the pair as Eveline struggled to take in Olivia’s words, her stomach tight and sick. She felt a cold sweat unleash itself upon her skin as she began to fill in the blanks.

“You believe he is the one abducting and killing children at Ravinston?”

“The children that have gone missing, have been exceptional cases,” Olivia explained as she poured herself another mug of hot water. “They have been children that Merlin has long had his eyes fixed on, does it sound incomprehensible that a boy like Whylen would not see them as a threat and so get rid of them? His abilities acting as a blanket of protection?”

“But if this is correct, what is Merlin’s part in all of this?”

“He has been keeping Whylen under his protection at Peel Castle, refusing to believe those who view him as dangerous and refusing to have him investigated,” Olivia said with an angry scowl. “Does that not strike you as odd?”

“Indeed, very odd,” Eveline agreed heartily. “Will this Whylen be at Peel Castle when we arrive?”

“Yes, that is why I strongly fought against bringing you here.”

“Well why didn’t you tell me sooner? If I was aware of the truth, then I would have agreed with you.”

“I don’t know why I didn’t speak of it sooner, to be frank with you,” Olivia said with a frustrated sigh.

“Well now that I do know, I am not so sure it would be a wise move to visit Merlin,” Eveline said as she moved her empty plate away.

“I am afraid we may not have much of a choice,” Olivia said, her eyes upon a group of young soldiers, now walking up the promenade, laughing amongst themselves. “Matthew is right in the sense that in this moment, you would be safest at Peel Castle, until at least Ravinston School has been evacuated and it is safe to sail to the Anglesey.”

“But this Whylen, he may find me a threat,” Eveline said with a rush of anxiety. “I already have four knights of Lagar on the hunt for me; would it be wise to add this Whylen to my list of enemies?”

“It isn’t what I would have wished, but in comparison to the knights, I think Whylen’s threat may lack in comparison. Anyway you have the power to stand against him, you are Celestine and he will not forget that, nor will he forget who your mother was.” Olivia said with certainty.

“I hope you are right.”

*

When the men arrived back just as the clock struck four, Eveline and Olivia had spent three hours conversing about all the aspects of their lives and now felt better acquainted with one another, both understanding the other and forming an evaluable friendship. Together the company made for the railway, where their luggage had been taken and tickets had been purchased upon arrival. The steam train was small and the carriage in which they sat was empty but for themselves. The journey across the Isle of Man took them through the hills and valleys and for the greater part of the journey they all sat in companionable quiet, until, seeing her distress in the reflection of the window, Edward turned to Eveline.

“You look a little distressed,” he said under his breathe, aware that William who sat opposite was asleep, his brown hat drawn down over his face.

“Olivia told me of Whylen,” Eveline returned, keeping her gaze upon the beautiful countryside, the grass green, the trees in bloom and the first buds of summer coming into bloom.

“Ah, I see,” Edward said with a nod, his eyes meeting a quiet and contemplative Olivia, who sat beside William. “You fear meeting this man?”

“Yes, he seems dangerous in ways I would never have thought.”

“You are surrounded by those who would see you safe, as long as we are here to guard you, you have nothing to worry about, I promise.”

“Do you trust this Merlin? For seems to be a very different man from the one portrayed in books and myths,” Eveline said and she drew her hands together on her lap.

“Does that surprise you? Many books and myths portray their characters in different ways, else they wouldn’t captivate the minds of others now would they?” Edward said in a very proper manner, almost as though he were speaking with a pupil.

“Well no, I understand your theory, but he seems darker than I had first thought.”

“He is a wizard, and not only an average wizard, he is descended from the line of Raphael,” Edward said with a frown. “He was an angel of healing, until he was slain by Lagar.”

“But theologists cannot agree on his existence,” Eveline quipped with a thoughtful glance.

“They know very little of our universe and its working,” Edward smiled. “And for some reason that gladdens me.”

“That the universe in all its trueness is still so secretive among humanity?”

“Yes.”

“Still, I am worried.”

“Merlin is ageless and with that comes complexities and stories,” Edward said kindly. “I would not have you go to him, if I believed him to be your enemy.”

“Your words do not pacify my worries Edward, although I am better for them.”

“I will protect you, do not worry.”

“Of your loyalty I am not worried, of his, I am,” Eveline whispered heavily.

The rest of the journey went by slowly until with a surprise halt, the train stopped. The sun still high in the sky, Eveline looked out across the land and could see the sea in the distance. Trailing her eyes over the physical land, she paused upon an island of which was built a great cathedral and castle, enclosed by a great wall and a gatehouse tower.

“Is that it Edward?” she asked the teacher as they got to their feet.

“Yes, that is Peel Castle, built by the early monks and later used to house the Viking King, Mann, known as Magnus Barefoot,” Edward said as he let Eveline out of the table. Matthew, William and Olivia had already stepped out onto the small station.

“How interesting,” Eveline said as she stepped out onto the platform and looked about. The station master was helping the rest of the company to acquire their luggage.

“How are we to travel there?” Eveline asked as William handed her, her suitcases.

“By horse and trap off course!” William said with excitement in his eyes, obviously enthralled by the prospect of meeting Merlin. Eveline followed the company until they found the horse and trap. The owner looked to be a farmer, as Eveline, aided by Matthew, jumped up into the trap and sat beside Olivia. The journey was bumpy and at times a little dangerous, but it did not take long until they had finally arrived at Peel Castle, the horse slowing down before the large gates. Eveline felt her heart skip two beats as she looked up at the dilapidated buildings.

“I’m sorry, but the buildings, they are discarded and ruined?”

“To the eyes of the common folk,” William winked as he helped her down. “Magic, remember?”

“How could I not,” Eveline said haughtily. William stared at her for a moment before shaking his head and walking away.

“If you ask me, I would say with certainty that William’s magic has gone to his head,” Olivia barked as she came to stand with Eveline.

“I heard that!” shouted William as he wrapped on the large oak doors, turning briefly to give Olivia a hard stare. Eveline chuckled deeply, turning to face Matthew, who upon reflection had been somewhat quiet of late. He and Edward had been involved in a heated discussion on their drive to the castle, and Eveline wondered to herself what it was that they were discussing, because the pair of them seemed to be out of sorts. Just as she was about to enquire after Edward, William called out to the them. “Come on before the tide rises!” Turning, Eveline noticed that the large oak doors had opened, and two men, dressed in fine white gowns were standing on either side, watching on as William waved his arms. What was more astounding to the ever naive Eveline, was how the many suitcases were suddenly floating in mid-air.

“How…”

“Magic,” Olivia interceded, her right hand wavering over her own suitcases. “Why don’t you try?”

“I don’t know how to,” Eveline blushed crimson.

“Simply command your suitcases up into the air,” Edward said from behind. “Like so.” Eveline turned and watched him as he lifted his own hand and muttered a few incomprehensible words under his breathe. Suddenly, Eveline’s stomach turning, the suitcases lifted themselves up off the ground and floated before him. “Now you try.” Eveline, feeling a cold gust of the sea air run up her skirt, lifted her shaking right hand up over her suitcases and closed her eyes tightly.

“Up!” she said softly. Opening her eyes, she found the cases still upon the ground.

“You have to mean it,” Olivia whispered kindly. “You have to source the power and wield it, remember? It can be a handful if not trained.”

“I remember,” Eveline smiled with frustration, feeling like a child being reprimanded in the classroom. Again she closed her eyes and looked within, feeling a strange energy unleash itself from the core of her being. With control and focus, she, without talking aloud, commanded the power within to raise the suitcases before her. Her eyes still closed, she felt the energy source sore through her body, flowing down her right arm and dispersing itself from the tips of her fingers, like a hot rush of gentle water.

“Well done!” Olivia and Edward said at once. Eveline opened her eyes and was amazed to see her own cases floating beside her.

“How do I make them move?” she enquired to all those who could hear her.

“How do you make your fingers move?” Edward responded.

“I don’t, they just do,” Eveline returned with a frown.

“Exactly,” Edward smiled with pride.

“Will you hurry up!” William’s exacerbated voice echoed above them.

“Come, we don’t want William to over exert himself before meeting Merlin,” Olivia grinned widely as the company set off towards the great arched entrance. With each step, Eveline felt a strangeness pass over her and quickly cast her eyes over her shoulders at Edward, who looked pensive and heavy. It felt as though something powerful was trying to reach out to her, the nearer she came to the entrance.

“What is that?” she asked Olivia.

“What is what?” Olivia replied with suspicious eyes.

“That feeling? Don’t you feel it too?”

“No, I don’t feel anything,” Olivia said, a little startled and worried.

“Never mind,” Eveline said with a weak smile. William was joyously glad when the rest of the company joined him.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” he said with a high pitched voice.

“Yes,” Eveline returned, because in truth it was the most beautiful cathedral and castle she had ever encountered. She was amazed at the transformation that occurred when entering, what seemed to be the ruins of an old cathedral and castle, suddenly transformed into a menacing cathedral and castle, fully formed and striking. Strange men who wore similar outfits of white gowns, stopped walking and stood, stalk still and gazed at Eveline, some in amazement and others obviously conflicted.

“Why are they all wearing white gowns?”

“It is the custom of druid priests to wear white gowns,” Edward replied, his body standing closer to Eveline as they made for the great cathedral. “The elder priests where white gowns laden with golden leaves at the bottom.”

“Why?”

“I suppose so that they stand out against the normal priests,” Edward muttered.

“You can put down the cases now, Idgard will look after them,” William said lightly, a young man standing close to him, wearing a brown robe. Eveline looked to Edward.

“Those in training wear brown,” he said with a smile and glint in his eyes.

“Makes sense,” Eveline returned. Olivia stopped and turned quickly to Eveline, taking her hands and holding them tight.

“Eveline are you ready to meet Merlin?”

“Should I be?”

“Listen, the first time I met Merlin, I won’t lie, I was scared,” Olivia said, acknowledging that William’s startled gaze was upon her. “He is the oldest being on this earth and that is daunting; but he also happens to be a strange man, whose moods are unpredictable. He spends most of him time in quiet reflection and silence, so when he speaks, he really speaks.”

“Well I’m glad about that, I’m not one for people who waste time conversing about the air,” Eveline smiled, trying to soothe her own anxieties.

“The priests too are a little eccentric and well em…how to put it…” Olivia rolled her eyes. “Out there.”

“Great,” Eveline said. “I bet they can’t compare with my strangeness.”

“You are the granddaughter of Heiden, they will be quite taken with your presence,” Edward interjected kindly, taking her elbow.

“That may not necessarily mean they like me.”

Before anyone could reply, the great doors of the cathedral opened before them. Eveline could see great torches of light, illuminating the Norman cathedral, which was filled with men and women all garbed in gowns, some with hoods over their heads. A gentle waft of earthly smells filled Eveline’s senses as she entered the cathedral, the great archway decorated in beautiful, wild flowers. In the centre of the cathedral was a great circle, laden with torches that surrounded a beautiful oak throne. As she was guided through the building, the men and women suddenly fell to their knees before her, their heads pressed to the ground and the hands pressed together before them. Eveline, the strange feeling that had clutched at her, felt it press harder and stopped for a moment, closing her eyes lightly.

“Eveline?” Matthew whispered.

“I’m fine,” she lied, opening her golden eyes once more and moving onwards. As she came to stand before the throne, Matthew, William, Edward and Olivia stood away and bent down low, stunning Eveline.

“Have you heard of the story of Romulus and Remus?” a deep voice asked, its echo filling the cathedral. Eveline turned abruptly to source the voice but could not find the man.

“Yes,” she said loudly, feeling like an idiot.

“Two twin brothers, fed from the same wolf and yet one kills the other,” the deep voice replied, feeling closer to her. “I wonder should we pity the servant who placed them both into the baskets and set them free down the river Tiber?”

“He gave them freedom and showed mercy,” Eveline said with uncertainty.

“But had he killed them, much bloodshed would have been saved- wouldn’t you agree?”

“Whether by their act or not, bloodshed is always split because of man’s greed for power,” Eveline responded with a high head. “So no, I do not agree.”

“Interesting,” the voice returned, now close to her. Eveline could feel a warm breath upon her neck and turned.

“Your majesty,” the man said regally, falling to the ground before her in submission. Eveline stood over the man and looked down at him. He was richly dressed in a navy robe, donned with golden stars and moons. To her surprise he did not have long, silver hair as was expected. In fact he looked much younger.

“You may rise,” Eveline announced regally. Merlin slowly came to stand up before her, a head taller. Eveline was astonished at how youthful he looked. He had dark black hair and eyes that were a strange colour of silver and upon his head was a wreath of silver stars.

“I saw you in my dreams many moons ago,” Merlin said calmly. “Your eyes were as golden as they are now and your hair as red as your mothers.”

“You have seen me before?” Eveline asked curiously, her hands clasped before her.

“I have seen much in my time,” Merlin said with a look of strangeness. “Much that has been and much that still is to come.”

“How?” Eveline asked with a feeling of suspicion. If she was the granddaughter of Heiden, how had she not the gifts this man possessed?

“Do not worry, I will teach you my lady,” Merlin returned as though he had read her mind. Eveline felt scared and stepped away from the unwavering wizard, his presence so threatening, she suddenly understood Olivia’s words of caution.

“Must they stay upon the floor any longer?”

“No, you must command them to rise,” Merlin said as he walked past Eveline and sat upon the throne. Sitting back and watching her curiously, Eveline felt his gaze upon her soul and tried to find the courage to speak out. She took in a deep breathe but felt a sudden force pull at her and bent forward as though she had strings attached to her body and a greater force was playing with her as though she were a puppet. She searched wildly for the person pulling at her strings and found her eyes settling upon a man, who stood upon the edge of the great cathedral. He did not bow before her as the others did, but stared at her as though she were the opposite of royal. Eveline felt him within her and searched for something in which to shield herself.

Look within, it is there.

She closed her eyes and sourced her power and felt it bubble within her and then for the first time in her life, she felt it penetrate out of her body as though wrapping her within an invisible bubble and the heavy pressure that had rendered her weak was gone. She opened her eyes and looked at the man, her stare hard and laced with unspoken threats. The man flinched and suddenly turned on his feet, fleeing into the shadows.

“Who was that?” she asked aloud, not turning to meet Merlin’s gaze.

“That was my prodigy- Whylen my lady,” Merlin returned carefully, sensing her powerful state.

“I would be careful you do not find yourself blinded by ambition, for I feel your eyes have grown too accustomed to your prodigy,” Eveline said with feeling, sensing a smile upon Olivia’s face. Merlin did not respond, instead he sat quietly, seething within. “You may rise.” As she spoke a great cry resounded about the cathedral and from the doors, a beautiful raven flew over the heads of the rising men and women and swept in between the bodies coming to settle upon the shoulder of Eveline. Eveline shook with surprise and turned her eyes down to the raven. “You followed me?” she whispered quickly under her breathe, the ravens yellow eyes bright and knowing. Again it cried out, turning his eyes to Merlin. Merlin’s hands tightened upon the arms of his throne.

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