CHAPTER 30
My name is Legion
As he made his way at speed back through the estate Davey was fearful that at any moment the Shaman might appear. He had put his trust in the helmet but perhaps the old man and Paddy had got it wrong. A horrible scratching sound right next to him terrified him but it turned out to be a squirrel scrabbling up the trunk of a pine tree, adrenaline surged into his veins and boosted his speed still further.
As he neared home the amount of men passing by on foot, returning from queuing or working at the Docks, told him that it was knocking-off time. He disappeared into the Murtagh's shed, covered his hands and face with oil, specked the helmet behind a crate of stout, then walked round to Number 99.
AHi there lad,@ said Hugh, Ahad a good
[email protected] AYeah, not
[email protected] AWell I know how hard it is when yer first start work but tomorrow's Sunday, first day off eh son, I'll bet you're needing it after this
[email protected] Davey nodded, the lying was proving hard for him.
AYour mum's down the wash-house, she'll be back in a minute, can I rustle yer something up while you're
[email protected] ANo, I'll just go and wash myself down
[email protected] AThere's a block of carbolic under the sink, that'll tear through that
[email protected] Davey went into the kitchen and re-appeared scrubbed and clean. He looked at his father sitting in his favourite chair by the fireside and decided to ask him about the helmet, surely he had noticed something about it. Just as he started to ask the question his mother walked in the door.
AHere she is. Hiya love, Davey's
[email protected] She was carrying an armful of washing; ironed, pressed and rolled up in a big bedsheet. Like most of the women on washday her hair was fastened up in a scarf.
[email protected] she cried hugging him and freeing her hair from the scarf at the same time. AI'll bet you're starving, I'll put you something
[email protected] After she had disappeared into the kitchen Hugh said quietly to Davey, AAre you going to go over to Paddy's tonight
[email protected] Davey tried to sound disinterested, AThought I
[email protected] AIt's just yer mum, yer know how women are, she's starting to miss you a bit that's all. You know, want's to get up and make breakfast for you, that sort of
[email protected] AShould I stay over
[email protected] asked Davey, a million thoughts running through his head on how he could carry on with helping Chacuti if he had to stay home.
ANo, I think it'll be alright for tonight, but try and make sure you're around tomorrow, she's talking of asking you if you fancy going over to New Brighton, what d'yer
[email protected] AYeah sure Dad, that'd be
[email protected] As they sat eating their meal Davey made a point of saying that maybe they could have a day out together tomorrow. Liz jumped at the idea, AWhy don't we go over to New
[email protected] she suggested, Awe haven't been there for a while have
[email protected] Hugh and Davey smiled at each other, AGood idea girl, what do you think
[email protected] ASounds good to me,@ smiled Davey.
The promise of the day trip enabled Davey to leave for Paddy's without too much attention being paid to him but as soon as he was with Paddy he told him of his fears, AMe mam and dad are getting a bit niggly about me coming here all the time, me dad says me mam's missing me but I reckon he's also starting to wonder what's going on. He's clever Uncle Paddy I think he knows we're using this
[email protected] ANaw, I grant yer Hughie's one of the smartest men yer ever likely to meet but I reckon yer jumpin' to conclusions. I mean even if he knew yer had the helmet he'd never dream what was going on with it would
[email protected] AHe wore it in the war, it saved him and you, he must know it's
[email protected] AHe might know it lad but he can't accept it, you've heard him yerself. I mean he finds it so hard to believe what you were saying, he thought you were headin' for the nut-house
[email protected] AYou may be right, I hope so, but even so they've said they want to see me tomorrow so we'd better get cracking. I've seen something bad today, up at the
[email protected] ANot the girl, she's safe isn't
[email protected] Paddy panicked.
AYeah, sorry Uncle Pad, didn't mean to give you a shock, it's not her. Me and the girl watched the old man talking to Richard but we started to see something nasty, the old man said the Shaman was in the room with
[email protected] AWHAT! he's got out of prison already? How could he have, yer'd better stick the pickle on
[email protected] AOh yeah, there's something else, O'Neill's working in the house for
[email protected] AWell we could see that one coming lad. Hurry up!@
Davey went downstairs and fetched the helmet, when he returned Paddy said, ABefore we get going lad, there's sommat I want to show
[email protected] He got off the bed and, knees cracking, bent down in front of the dressing table, underneath it, taped to the bottom drawer, was an envelope. Carefully he extracted it.
AKnow what this is
[email protected] he asked, delving into the envelope and pulling out a small blue-book.
[email protected] AIt's a bank-book. Open
[email protected] Davey opened the book, Paddy squinted down his nose as he endeavoured to read the figures, ADo yer know how much that
[email protected] he asked.
AONE HUNDRED POUNDS! You got it went you went into town
[email protected] Paddy grinned, AYer partly right lad but look at which column it's
[email protected] Davey saw the columns were headed units, tens, hundreds, thousands. AIt's in the thousands column,@ he said weakly, barely able to speak.
AThat's right lad, not one hundred pounds, one hundred THOUSAND
[email protected] Davey dropped backwards onto the bed.
ACome on lad, no time for that, there's work to be
[email protected] he laughed as he helped Davey to sit upright.
AThe Shaman is with us as we
[email protected] hissed the old man.
Davey turned away from the mirror, AThis is where I saw up to, the old man and Richard where in this room in Carnatic Hall and this is what the old man said. Chacuti didn't know anything about it, she was dancing and enjoying
[email protected] AProbably a good thing that
[email protected] [email protected] said Davey, Athe old man's pointing at
[email protected] AI cannot see anything but whatever it is lies over there,@ said the old man.
AIt appears to be on the far side of that writing desk,@ replied Richard, it was evident that he was having to fight to restrain himself from every impulse which told him he should run.
AIt grows
[email protected] AThe candles are burning with a reduced flame. What is it old man. Is it the Shaman. Should we go to
[email protected] AStay here, I am not sure, let us observe that we may
[email protected] AHe's a cool customer ain't he lad. I'd be out of there like a
[email protected] AHe hasn't got the helmet on, he's in danger. Look at their breath, it's freezing in
[email protected] AIt begins to move,@ said the old man.
AAlthough I cannot see it I feel as though I can,@ said Richard struggling to remain calm.
AIt is a powerful presence. Observe it as it passes from behind the writing
[email protected] AAnd crosses the floor towards us, what should we do old
[email protected] Richard was clearly becoming frightened. His long hair was standing up at the back of his neck.
ALet us leave this
[email protected] They backed away from the presence through a doorway.
AIt follows, do something old man for I sense it is looking at me as I am looking at
[email protected] Without saying anything to Paddy, Davey took their view into the fortress of Toledo. Fixed to the chair within the bell-cage sat Father Salamanga. His body was battered, his cassock hung in shreds, the stains all around told of the treatment he was receiving. Two hooded figures stood forcing horrific implements of torture between the bars of the cage.
AJesus, what they doing to >im? Why've yer come
[email protected] AIf he's dead the Shaman will have left
[email protected] He moved in and stared at the priest's face. One of the implements was applied and the priest let out a weak cry.
AIt can't be the Shaman, he's still
[email protected] Davey returned to Carnatic.
AThe presence grows
[email protected] cried the old man.
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AI feel it fading, soon it shall be
[email protected] The men's postures visibly relaxed as the spirit left the room.
AWhat was it old man? Has the Shaman returned to plague
[email protected] AStay with the child, when I have the answer I will
[email protected] AHe's going to get the
[email protected] AIf it's still there lad, I didn't like the look of that thing. If I'd been able to see whatever it was that
[email protected] Davey was unnerved and shot ahead of the old man intending to go to his room above the stable. But as he passed through the doorway he saw O'Neill disappearing down the hallway.
AI reckon >e's been listening in,@ Paddy said voicing both their thoughts. Davey moved their view backwards and their fears were confirmed, with ear and eye alternating to the keyhole O'Neill had witnessed everything.
Davey swept back to the old man's room, immediately the old man entered he put the helmet on.
Davey didn't waste any time, AI don't know what it was! The Shaman's still in Toledo, they're doing terrible things to him! And O'Neill was spying on you just
[email protected] The old man thought about what he had been told, AThe Shaman may have decided that he is losing too much energy preserving the life of the priest's body. When a point is reached where it would be less of a loss for him to leave the body altogether and occupy that of another person he may allow the body to
[email protected] ABut what was it in the room with you and
[email protected] APerhaps the Shaman's thoughts are already seeking-out a new
[email protected] ASo it was just his thoughts that were walking round the
[email protected] ATell him to pull the other one,@ interrupted Paddy, Ait's got bells on
[email protected] AI must return to Richard,@ said the old man, Ahe will be
[email protected] AKeep the helmet with
[email protected] AI will keep it with me at all times now boy. You can be sure of
[email protected] ATell Richard about O'Neill,@ said Davey.
ADid he see
[email protected] questioned the old man.
[email protected] Without another word he hurried off, AI'll check out the
[email protected] said Davey.
An ear-splitting scream echoed around the chamber.
AHe can't survive this for much longer Uncle
[email protected] AWell, when yer reckon how much the Shark-cutey girl has grown, I mean she's no Spring chicken anymore, the Shyman must have been stuck in here for flippin'
[email protected] AI don't like it. If they kill the priest's body the Shaman could turn up as anyone. I think we're better off with the Devil we know than one we don'
[email protected] AYeah but he'd be a lot weaker though, that's what the old man reckons anyway, isn't
[email protected] AThat's what he reckons but all the same I don't like it, not one little bit. I hope these monks know what they're
[email protected] AMonks, more like monkeys, the way they're playing around torturin' people. What are these feller's doing anyway. Haven't they heard of turnin' the other cheek and all that sort of
[email protected] The door to the huge chamber creaked open, the abbott entered closely followed by Alonzo.
ALook! He's one of them
[email protected] exclaimed Davey.
Alonzo wore the robe and vestments of a novitiate.
AThey're trainin' >im up to be a
[email protected] joked Paddy.
Davey tried to ignore him but couldn't help letting out a laugh, ALeave off Uncle Paddy, this is serious
[email protected] ASorry
[email protected] Davey glanced at Paddy, his chastened expression was so comical he couldn't help himself but burst out laughing. Paddy immediately joined in. Davey heard a faint scratch against the wall as Mrs Murtagh removed her glass and restrained herself from laughing by biting onto the bed-covers. Davey spun his head to the side and peered through the wall into her darkened room.
AWhat is it lad? What yer doin'
[email protected] ANothing Uncle Pad,@ giggled Davey returning to the mirror.
A bucket of water was thrown over Father Salamanga, he looked up furiously.
AWater still remains a threat to you good Father,@ said the abbott, Aand yet you have endured much. So much in fact that the brothers begin to lose
[email protected] AI assure you my lord, I am but a simple man, a man who but for the fates could well be occupying the self-same position that you now
[email protected] AAnd would you aspire to such a
[email protected] AI seek only to serve my Lord God in all
[email protected] AWhat would you wish us to do to help you in your present
[email protected] AOnly release me my lord but I know that is not
[email protected] AI am afraid not, however you have shown you have a strength not normally found in men, either your faith strengthens you or the Devil stands with you. We have been unable to determine which. These matters must be brought to a head one way or the other, they cannot be allowed to carry on
[email protected] He turned to Alonzo and told him, AYou may wish to leave, you are as yet untried in these
[email protected] AI wish to stay my lord. The evil in this man must be driven from his
[email protected] The abbott turned to the hooded monks and issued two simple words, ARack
[email protected] The rods which held the priest in the chair were withdrawn, he was then forced to lie down upon the stone floor and extend the chain manacles beneath the bars of the cage. Ropes were passed through pulleys on opposite sides of the chamber then fastened to the chains. By means of a complex arrangement of pulleys the ropes led up to the platform upon which stood a group of hooded men. As one they heaved on a lever which, using a ratchet mechanism, tightened the ropes. With continual cries from the priest the ropes tightened to such an extent that his body was lifted from the chamber floor and suspended horizontally in the cage. The ratchet locked into position allowing the monks to rest their grips, they stood watching as the questioning began.
AWhat is your
[email protected] asked the abbott.
Father Salamanga laughed a devilish laugh. The abbott nodded to the men in hoods. Again they heaved on the lever, the ropes creaked as the pressure upon them increased.
AWHAT IS YOUR
[email protected] yelled the abbott. His voice echoed authoritatively around the chamber.
The priest replied, AIs it not written: My name is Legion for we are
[email protected] AI command you to leave this man. Begone
[email protected] shouted the abbott.
Father Salamanga's tongue took on a life of its own and he replied, Agibarteur fydgig ejocav
[email protected] AHe talks in tongues! OUT! OUT
[email protected] screamed the abbott. AIncrease the
[email protected] he commanded.
The men in hoods had to hang with all their weight upon the lever in order to be able to advance the mechanism another click of the ratchet. It locked into place.
An evil voice sounded from the mouth of Father Salamanga, AFools! You think you can interfere with the workings of the Gods. The child has stolen my power, she shall not keep it. I shall deal with you all. You shall all suffer one hundredfold what I have endured. Do you think these bonds can hold me? I can release myself whenever I
[email protected] The abbott spoke quietly to Alonzo, ASatan is within him, it is now our task to cleanse
[email protected] He looked towards the hooded men. Outside night had fallen, the chamber was lit by flaring lamps which cast huge, terrifying shadows of the men onto the curved walls of the tower. APray continue until Vespers,@ the abbott ordered then turned and walked to the chamber door, he tapped a sequence of taps agreed upon entry with the guards outside, hearing the correct sequence they opened the door and allowed him out.
AWell lad, it seems like they know who's hiding in
[email protected] AI think they've known it all along Uncle Paddy, it was just a question of time until they got the truth out of
[email protected] AWell never mind getting the truth out of him, now they've got to get the Shaman to get out of
[email protected] AHow can they do
[email protected] ANo idea lad but yer can bet yer last shilling they'll give it a good
[email protected] AWhy doesn't the Shaman escape like he said? I mean he could turn himself into the snake and get out of those chains any time he
[email protected] AYer right lad, but he couldn'
t get out the place quick enough for that monkey on guard duty not to see what he was up to and give him a flippin'
[email protected] AI'd better let the old man know what's going
[email protected] The old man sat in the armchair in Richard's study. Davey asked, AHave you told
[email protected] AI await him boy,@ replied the old man.
Davey told him what he had seen, AThey've made the Shaman admit he's inside the priest, now they've got to get him
[email protected] AI hear you boy,@ said the old man. ABut all is not what it seems, things are becoming dangerous for the child, the brothers of Toledo have met their match. I fear the outcome as I fear the involvement of this man O'Neill. There are things at work in these matters which are beyond are knowledge, it was no accident that O'Neill carried those signs, it was no accident that the skulls have turned
[email protected] As if speaking to himself he continued, AIt makes me wonder whether the men in the East were aware of these eventualities all those years
[email protected] AWhat can we
[email protected] AI shall journey to Toledo, the helmet will enable the brothers to accomplish their
[email protected] AWhat about
[email protected] AIt will be safer for her to remain here than to join me on the
[email protected] AIt could take weeks for you to get there, what if the priest dies in the meantime and the Shaman comes straight here? I mean you've already said that his thoughts might be having a look
[email protected] AThere is no other alternative boy. I should have done this long ago, but you are right, I will take precautions so that even if the body of the priest were to die the Shaman will not enter this
[email protected] AHow can you do
[email protected] AThe signs which O'Neill bore, carved into the wall of the house they will keep the Shaman at
[email protected] ABut that means Chacuti will have to stay in the house, she'll be like a
[email protected] ABetter that than to suffer her fate at the hands of the evil
[email protected] Richard entered the room, as the door opened the sounds of the last guests leaving the ball could be heard above Chacuti's laughing farewells. The old man motioned for Richard to come nearer then said quietly, AO'Neill was watching us, he saw whatever took place in this room this
[email protected] AYou mean he was spying on
[email protected] said Richard outraged. He ran from the room and after a short time returned with O'Neill. The old man rose to his feet and stood with them as Richard spoke to O'Neill.
AYou sailed with me on the schooner and received your due share, did you
[email protected] said Richard.
AAye Sir,@ he replied addressing Richard as he might on board ship.
AAnd when you had squandered your share on gambling and drink did I not offer you work in my own household and give you board and
[email protected] AAye Sir, you have been most kind to
[email protected] AAnd the share that was due Captain Alonzo, I understand you made no attempt to deliver it to him as we had
[email protected] By way of answer O'Neill held up the stump of his arm.
Richard snapped, AIt would not have prevented you taking ship for Finisterre! It was something which I was prepared to overlook in view of your misfortune. You struck the deal with Alonzo It would have been for him to deal with your duplicity and yet my sources tell me he is cloistered within the walls of a monastery - such are the turns of
[email protected] AWhere he has no need of worldly possessions,@ grinned O'Neill.
ADo not be smug with me man. Have you not repaid my kindness by eavesdropping and spying upon
[email protected] AI think you must be mistaken on that Sir,@ O'Neill's grinning countenance suddenly altered.
AI think not. You know
[email protected] Richard drummed his fingers on the back of a chair, AI was warned against you but I ignored those warnings - it seems at my own peril. You have left me with no other alternative, you must leave my household, take this, it will tide you over until you get on your
[email protected] He tossed him a pouch which O'Neill caught deftly with his good hand.
O'Neill did not say anything but opened the draw-string around the neck with his teeth, positioned the pouch upon his maimed arm then emptied the contents onto his palm. He grinned wickedly when four diamonds rolled out and settled in the sign of the two interlocking triangles, AThank you Cap'n, you always were too generous,@ he gave a mock salute and rolled in a sailor's gait from the room.
Davey followed him out of the front door before returning to the study.
AThere is more to concern us,@ said the old man, AI must travel to Toledo, the Inquisition need all the help that I can give
[email protected] ABut the
[email protected] exclaimed Richard.
AI leave at first light,@ replied the old man, Abut first I shall take steps to protect
[email protected] AI didn't like the look on O'Neill's face,@ said Davey.
AYer right lad, if them skulls have got to >im then he mightn't leave so
[email protected] They followed him round behind the house to the stables.
AEh, eh, come on then, there's a good boy,@ said O'Neill as he opened the gate to Axa's stall, the stallion began to prance and dash it's hooves against the cobbles as he entered. He lifted a bridle from where it hung and tried to place it upon the stallion's head, ACome on
[email protected] But the stallion was having none of it, it reared up slightly on its hind legs. ATake it
[email protected] shouted O'Neill trying to slip the bridle over it's head. The horse moved against him, pressing him against the divide which separated Axa's stall from the one alongside. AGet off, you damned
[email protected] O'Neill punched hard into the stallion's side but it had as much effect as hitting a log. The horse stood stock still locking him into place. Bracing his back against the divide and pushing several times with his arms he managed to move Axa back a short distance, quickly he flung himself over into the next stall. He landed on all fours in a heap of manure, rising to his feet he attempted to slash the bridle across Axa's back but the stallion bared his teeth and he moved away uttering oaths. Apart from the manure the stall he had landed in was empty but the one next to it was occupied by a gentle mare. Axa urged it to put up a fight but the mare was too gentle to argue with anybody. Hampered by the lack of a hand O'Neill cursed as he struggled to bridle and saddle it. As soon as he had completed the task he led the mare out to the mounting post, climbed into the saddle then rode off after the carriages whose lights could be seen wending their way down the lane as they ferried the guests homewards.
AShould I go with him and see where he
[email protected] asked Davey.
AIt's up to you lad, maybe he's just off to trade in his
[email protected] AMaybe, I'll see what the old man's doing to protect the girl. I can always come back here and find out what's going
[email protected] The old man was with Richard in Chacuti's bedroom, he was hacking a hole into the wall next to the window using a hammer and chisel. Once past the hard outer surface of the sandstone the chisel cut more easily. Richard took turns at cutting the stone until soon they had carved out a deep hole. AThis should be large enough old
[email protected] He rose from sitting upon Chacuti's bed and examined the cavity. From off the floor where they had left it, he lifted a thin slab of sandstone which he used to cover the hole, then scored around it with the edge of the chisel. Richard set to work cutting the hole to match the slab. Before long they had produced a perfect fit.
AIt shall suffice,@ said the old man, he withdrew the Shaman's dagger from his belt. Richard walked to the foot of the bed and picked up a small chest. Returning to the old man he opened the chest and said, AThis is the only treasure still remaining which has not been smelted down or sold off. Should any harm come to me Chacuti will always have this to fall back
[email protected] The old man lifted the gems and gold within the chest and placed the dagger beneath them, AThere will come a time when this will pass into the hands of someone who will help the child, till then it shall rest
[email protected] He locked the chest and put it into the recess then hammered the slab into place so that their work was undetectable, AFetch the
[email protected] After Richard had left the old man spoke to Davey, AIs the chest in exactly the same position as you found it
[email protected] AIt is but you
must tell Chacuti to tell me, the boy in the helmet, exactly where you've hidden
[email protected] AI shall do so. Is the knife still safely with
[email protected] Davey opened the top drawer of the dressing-table and took out the dagger. AGuard it well
[email protected] Richard returned leading Chacuti by the hand. AShe is here old man,@ he said. He stood behind her with his hands upon her bare arms slightly above her elbows. She looked beautiful as she stood tall and elegant in her ball-gown.
ABeneath this spot,@ said the old man showing her the exact location of the chest, Awe have placed a chest which contains gold and jewels, should you ever need them you will know where to find
[email protected] ABut why, why am I being shown
[email protected] asked Chacuti. AIs something bad going to happen
[email protected] she turned around and faced him.
ADon't worry my child, you will be alright. But we must
[email protected] The old man continued for him, AWe must take precautions, what is in this wall is important to the boy, the one you saw when we were onboard the
[email protected] AWho is he? What is important to
[email protected] she asked.
The old man told her, AOne day he will come to you, you must show him where this chest lies, he will be wearing this helmet,@ he tapped his hand upon the helmet.
Chacuti was alarmed, AYou're not answering my questions, if nothing is to happen to me why will I need his
[email protected] The old man spoke more sternly, AChacuti, the power of the skulls is in you, we must take
[email protected] AEverything will be alright, don't worry,@ said Richard stroking his hand across her head.
She turned to him and forced herself to smile, the old man said, AThat's better child. In the morning I am going away, whilst I am away Richard and I wish you to remain in the house, you must not leave it under any circumstances, when I return and then you will be free to do whatever you
[email protected] ATell me one thing, is it the Shaman, has he come for
[email protected] asked Chacuti.
Richard looked kindly at her, she hugged close to him and cried.
APoor lass,@ said Paddy.
AUncle
[email protected] AYeah
[email protected] AThanks for helping me with this and for listening to me. I know now that we've done the right thing trying to help
[email protected] AArr don't start lad or I'll be needin' me
[email protected] The sun was barely lighting the sky when the old man went outside the house and began cutting the strange shapes and patterns into the base of the walls using the hammer and chisel.
AAre you sure they'll keep him
[email protected] asked Davey, Amaybe it was something else about O'Neill which the Shaman was frightened of? Maybe it was because he was trapped in all that
[email protected] AWe cannot know what O'Neill's fate may have been without the interference of the skulls but one thing is definite, did the skulls themselves not say they feared the signs he
[email protected] AYou're right,@ said Davey, Ait was when he put them on the Shaman that he nearly managed to kill
[email protected] AThe wise men of the East, up in the hilly ghatts in the South-East of India, they see much. Nothing escapes their gaze. These signs have reached us in a strange way but without them we could not protect
[email protected] He continued to chisel into the sandstone, AWhen these signs are in place the Shaman will be unable to pass into the house in body or
[email protected] AWhat about his thoughts, will he be able to go in there again like you and Richard >saw'
[email protected] AThoughts go whither they will boy, nothing can stop them, they are of the realm of the Gods. But thoughts cannot harm anybody except their
[email protected] Richard walked round the front of the house to where the old man was cutting the final signs, he led a palomino pony by the bridle, it's golden hair with a white mane and tail made it appear dovelike. AA horse for your journey old
[email protected] AThat is no horse,@ said the old man eyeing the beautiful animal appreciatively, Athat is a mount fit for the Son of Man
[email protected] AAnd here is his staff,@ said Richard passing the old man a stout length of stick. As the old man went to take it Richard moved nearer, AA quick twist of the handle,@ he demonstrated, Aand you free the
[email protected] He extracted a razor sharp sabre from within the stick. The old man took the weapon and slashed the blade through a number of strokes, it whistled as it sliced through the air.
AI have packed the things you will require for your journey exactly as you wished,@ Richard patted the saddlebags and the rolled up groundsheet across the horses rump. ATake this, should you become lost it will aid you in finding your
[email protected] Hanging from a lanyard around his neck was a ship's compass, housed in a brass case. He lifted it over his head and placed it over the old man's.
AIt is a valuable gift. I head South, this shall guide
[email protected] AI have jotted down a course you can
[email protected] Richard unrolled a small scroll on which was depicted a basic map of England, he had scrawled a route and notes over it, briefly he went through them, AFollow the river, the Weaver which runs close to Speke Hall. It will take you to a Roman road known as Watling Street, the roads in these parts cannot compare with the time you will make following its
[email protected] ATo where shall it
[email protected] Richard pointed to the various towns through which it would pass and the notes alongside their names; Market Drayton, (near to) Telford (stopover the night with the Willoughby's of Weston Park), Tamworth (you may be able to stay over at Drayton Manor), Lutterworth, Towcester, Dunstable (turn off right onto the Icknield Way). AEach of these stages will take a day's travel. Once you are on the Icknield Way follow it for maybe half a day then head due south, you will have to find a place to cross the River Thames then if you continue to head south you will reach the
[email protected] AAnd then a boat to
[email protected] Richard took him by the arm, ADo you wish me to join you old man, this journey will not be without its dangers. You still speak with a strong Spanish accent, these are dangerous times for men from your country. War with Spain is in the offing, rumours
[email protected] AI do not intend to stay anywhere, the stars will be my roof, my mouth will be sealed. No, you must stay with the child, she will need you. Where is
[email protected] he asked looking around.
AShe is already carrying out your instruction to remain in the house, see, she watches from the upstairs
[email protected] Dabbing a small lace handkerchief to her eyes Chacuti waved to the old man.
AI hope I shall not be gone long Richard, take care of the child whilst I am
[email protected] AYou know I shall lay down my life for her old
[email protected] The old man shook his hand, he mounted the horse and cantered away from the house.
AWhat should I do, what can I do to
[email protected] Davey asked the old man as he cantered down the lane.
AUntil fate takes its turn there is nothing that you can do. Soon events will come together and the unexpected will occur, it is then that you will prove your
[email protected] AWhat's >e goin' on about
[email protected] asked Paddy.