'For our first preview we take up the story at chapter thirteen.

After four hundred years of failed spells and broken lives, Alice Llewellyn has finally done the impossible. She has drawn her lost lover back to her. Torn apart by tragedy and reborn across a dozen lifetimes, their love now faces its final test in the late twentieth century. Can Alice reclaim his heart and guide him toward the light, or will he surrender to temptation and follow her twin sister into the Demonic shadowed rites of the Witch Queen?'

 

                       13. EARLSWOOD MANOR 1996 AD

 

Alice Llewellyn had always known this day would come. She had the gift of foresight. An inheritance, passed from mother to daughter for thousands of years. Not visions or prophesy as the world imagined them, but knowing; a quiet relentless certainty. A whisper of what would be. An ancestor with the same gift centuries before foretold she would be reunited with her true love one day.

Now at last, after many lifetimes she was about to be reunited with the only man she ever truly loved. It was a union connected by an ancient calling, a ‘Prime’ feeling that crossed the ages and locked them together. The most powerful emotion of all... Love. A love echoed through the generations never to be denied or forgotten.

Unknown to him, she had been calling him for years, lifetime after lifetime, century after century, an echo across the mists of time. But every fiber of her being now told her he was getting closer by the second. She sat waiting lost in thought. And now that echo was returning from the misted corridors of time. Every fiber of her being cried out that he was close

Saul is nearly here I’m sure of it, I can feel a man getting closer. So does that mean Jed was wrong after all? If it is Paul Masters he must be Saul and my mother and father were right all along. Is it him and he is coming back to me? The wait will soon be over; I’m sure of it.

Alice’s mind was filled with hope. Yet doubt slipped its claws into her certainty. Will he remember me? Can he sense me as I can him? Jed said he was blind to his ‘Prime’ heritage. A stray, as we call them now. What if he cannot remember who he is? Should I just tell him? Is it simply a matter of reawakening his memory? It might be. Jed said he did it with his mother and she was a stray. Only time will tell.

Her stomach tightened.

Can I guide him to the light? He has been brought up living in a city and has been exposed to its temptations.

She shuddered involuntarily, and what about the paintings he did at school; the red dreams? The vicious, prophetic images brought to life on canvas; images that should lay hidden.

She forced the thought aside; that’s what spooked Jed and the local Earth Mother when he was young. Is he already leaning toward the dark? Am I already too late? If I am I could be destroying us all. And if he is can I kil...  She shook her head in an attempt to clear the negative thoughts.

She had woken early. This was the day she had been waiting for all her life, this life and a dozen others. As the manageress of the hotel she was always up early, but it was well before dawn today. Alice could not sleep. She had showered, and unusually for her, put on makeup. She studied her reflection in the mirror and took comfort in combing her long black hair; hair that fell to her waist, “Just how Saul likes it.” She whispered the words for her own benefit, then put on her best business clothes and kept busy.

Paul Masters sat at the wheel of the Bentley convertible. He had parked the car on the hill overlooking the Earlswood estate which gave him a panoramic view of the manor house and its grounds. The air within him weighed down with unease; while in the distance the lake glimmered faintly, and ancient woodland crept beyond it. Below him, the estate unfolded like something half remembered. His eyes drifted further still to the  town of Glastonbury and high on the Tor the ruin of Saint Michaels chapel speared the sky, a dark finger of warning.

The place disturbed him. Not fear. Recognition.

He sat deep in thought as he took in the surrounding views. Thoughts that took him back to when he was a child. He could remember his father and grandfather discussing the estate. It was one of the earliest memories he had of his father. There was a familiarity about the estate and he couldn’t determine why.

Have I dreamt about this place?

He shook his head wordlessly. He couldn’t remember seeing a photograph of the old family estate either. He chewed his lip thoughtfully; every dip and turn of the land felt intimate. As though he were walking back into something he had once known. It had been his family’s ancestral home in the early twentieth century, so he wondered if it was one of his mother’s so-called, inherited memories.

Maybe I can get some answers, who knows?

Like a salmon returning to spawn in the river of its birth, it was a calling, a message embedded in his DNA. He could feel himself drawn by something nameless. A summons rooted in bone and blood.  Unbeknown to him the business opportunity was his mother’s idea, a shove in the right direction, a gentle directorial push to a foretold destiny.

His mind drifted to his grandfather and how he used to play in the woods and swim in the lake. He could remember feeling envious; it seemed so magical compared to the hustle and bustle of city life. He remembered the sadness in his grandfather’s eyes when he recalled the family selling the manor in the nineteen twenties and moving to America. Later it was converted into a hotel. Now the property was once again up for sale. A motorway to the south bypassed the property and had taken their custom and most of the profits. It was a downward spiral from then on.

His family in America had heard that it was on the market, and Paul, who was still in his mid-twenties, was here to represent the family, a family whose fortune was built on the design and construction of golf resorts. As the sport took off in America, so did their finances.

Paul’s task was to compile a report on the viability of transforming this estate from a run-down hotel to a premier golf resort. As he sat there, his thoughts turned to the conversations between his father and grandfather when he was young. The family was sitting around the dinner table, and the topic, discussing the possibility of turning this estate into a golf course. Now after all these years those plans might be nearing fruition.

Once again, Paul took in the views, the fields, the woods, the lake, and nodded his head approvingly. Well, there is certainly enough land, and the lake could be a helpful feature. So far, it all looks promising. I think it is time to look at the manor house itself.

He started the Bentley and it silently glided down the tree-lined road. There was a green wedge of grass down the center of the gravel driveway, and he made a mental note. There is no room for two-way traffic on this lane, so we may need to widen this unless we can make it a one-way system.

Though the car was still distant, Alice felt it in her chest, in her bones, in her blood. She was holding a jar of pens when her head filled with the noise of a car driving over gravel. She could sense it with every fiber of her being and knew he had entered the estate.

He’s here. He is finally here.

The jar of pens fell to the floor and shattered into a thousand pieces. She closed her eyes, breathing deeply, surrendering to years of meditation and discipline. It only took moments before the surface calm returned. However the storm within did not.

He is here. My love is here.

She made her way to the upstairs window which overlooked the rear courtyard. As his car pulled in her knees weakened just as they did nearly four hundred years before.

He’s here!

Paul parked the Bentley in what he assumed was the front of the manor house. He sat for a while taking time to look at the house and grounds and was once again lost in thought.

I can’t remember seeing a photo of the house either, but everything looks familiar. Déjà vu, I think they call it. Ok, what was it that my grandfather said. First impressions are crucial.

Paul took out his Dictaphone and began to record. “Well the house is old, probably older than America. And there is plenty of land, enough for even a large golf course. It would be a nice feature to encompass the lake. I’ll check it out later to see if it’s workable.”

He switched off the Dictaphone and continued with his thoughts. The lake could be a feature. Yes, first impressions are good, the house however maybe a different kettle of fish. Yes, it has character, and it looks grand, imposing even; but could we drag it screaming into the twenty-first century? That’s the question. Here we go. It’s time to have a look inside.

Alice watched from the upstairs window, and her heart was pounding. She watched as he got out of the car, paused, and looked at the house. His eyes drifted, taking in the view of the surrounding countryside. He stood there for several minutes. From above, she could see his head turn towards the lake, and then toward the woods, the church and then the Abby which lay in ruins since its dissolution by Henry Viii, and in the distance the bustling town of Glastonbury, and beyond that, the Tor with St Michael’s tower on top.

Is he remembering the town as it was? It was a tiny village the last time he was here and the wood, a forest. Has it changed, Saul, is it familiar?

She watched as Paul turned to the rear door. She heard him pull on the old heavy rope doorbell. The sound, low and resonate. It is the same bell; can you remember the tone? Her excitement was palpable. He is here.

She could hear someone moving down the corridor.

That would be Jed coming to answer the door. He would be wondering why someone had come around the back. It will take Jed a few moments, and then he too will remember why.

She felt her heart racing, and Alice took a deep breath and used her training to bring it under control.

At last, he is here, after nearly four hundred years he is here, but will he remember me?

As he pulled the old bell rope for a second time, a feeling of familiarity overcame him. Then a voice.

“All right all right. Keep your hair on.” The muffled voice came from deep inside the building. The large oak door opened, revealing a man in his late forties, he was about six foot tall, well built with thin receding hair; his accent, Welsh. “Yes, can I help you?”

“I’m Paul Masters.”

“Well?” the man said abruptly.

Paul, who was a little taken aback by the response, countered, “I have a room booked.”

Jed managed a faint interrogative “Ah ...? So, you are a guest are you Sir? Sorry for being so abrupt. You have come to the wrong entrance see. Guests usually go to the front of the property.”

Paul’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Oh sorry, isn’t this the front?”

The man laughed. “No, Sir. But it was four hundred years ago.” Jed paused, and then studied the young man warily; and the faintest of smiles creased his lips. “Masters you say, Paul Masters?”

Paul simply nodded and Jed turned to put the light on. “You can follow me, come through.”

Above them, unseen, Alice smiled. He’s come to the back of the house thinking it was the front, so he has been here in a previous life. So my parents were right, Paul Masters is Saul reincarnate.

If Paul could have seen Jed’s face, he would have seen his smile. He has changed since I last saw him. So, Alice has called him at last. O God I hope the world does not come to regret it.

The game had begun, and destiny had answered her call.

                                                                                              *

Jed shuffled over in the dark to switch the lights on. Before Paul could step inside, a heavy gust of wind struck Paul and took his breath away. Seeing the heavy oak door about to slam into him, he leapt into the darkened room and dodged the door before it slammed shut. Suddenly the room was in total darkness. A second later, it could have done him serious harm.

Alice, who was watching from above smiled. She expected something like that and muttered “What a rude Witch you are. You really should learn to let bygones be bygones.”

Jed raised his voice in the darkness. “Are you alright, Sir? Please stay there until I put the light on. Don’t move.”

“What caused that?” Paul said indignantly.

 “It’s just the wind, Sir. Wuthering, as they say around here, blows right through the house it does. The front door must be open; there could be a storm coming.”

“You could have fooled me. I didn’t feel a breath of wind outside.”

Jed made light of it. “Must be the wind Sir. Doors don’t shut by themselves, do they? If you follow me, we will go through to the main desk and I’ll book you in.”

Paul followed the man through the house and along narrow dark wood-lined corridors. Paul again had the feeling of déjà vu and felt the hair lifting on the back of his neck. After turning the last corner, Paul found himself in a well-lit foyer and turned to Jed as he opened the register on the desk.

Alice had made her way down the stairs and watched him from a distance as Jed booked him in.

 He looks so young, but his eyes are the same, and he still has a straight back. His hair is a lighter color. No beard though. He has a forceful jaw, and his mouth is wide with plenty of teeth, typical American. Oh, and his lips are thicker. He pulls his mouth to one side when he smiles just like he used to. He looks so different, but I’m sure it’s Saul; at last, after all this time, He’s here.

First impressions are always important. Paul Masters could hear the words again as if they were said yesterday. It was advice his grandfather had given him when he first joined the family business ten years ago at the age of sixteen. His eyes drifted around the lobby. Classic old English dated yet familiar, classy but tired. The receptionist’s Welsh accent broke his reverie.

“Right, Sir, my name is Jed, and I’m the assistant manager. So, you have made a reservation? May I have your name, please?”

Paul’s voice had the edge of unguarded irritation in it. “As I have already told you, Paul Masters.”

Jed ignored the sarcastic remark. “So, you did, Sir. Paul Masters, yes, here we are.” Jed studied the register and couldn’t hide the shock on his face. “According to the email, you asked for the master bedroom?”

“Yes, that’s correct. Is there a problem?”

“Well, not really a problem as such, it is just that we have not let that room out for a very long time. Is there any reason you want that particular room?”

Paul smiled sheepishly, and Jed realized it was a copy of his mother’s. “My family used to own this property and it was my grandfather’s room. He said if I was ever to stay here, it must be in that room. He said it was the most beautiful room he had ever seen, south-facing, large windows with views down to the lake.”

Jed was troubled, but his face belied his worry. “I see, Sir. It’s not been rented for a long time and will take some time to get aired and ready, and we have many rooms with beautiful views.”

“I want that room. It is most important and I don’t mind waiting. It’s not a problem for me as long as it will be ready for tonight.”

Jed knew he must do all he could to prevent it from happening.

“I see, Sir. I must point out that it’s got a bit of a reputation, and not many of the locals request that room. It’s also the most expensive room we have.”

Paul waved his arms dismissively, “Not a problem.”

“Do you not want to know how much, Sir?”

Paul shook his head. “No, Jed. The company will pay.”

Jed took a deep breath. “Right you are, Sir. How long will you be staying?”

Paul thought for a moment and chewed his lip, another of his mother’s mannerisms. “I’m not quite sure, but book me in for one week first, and we will see how we go.”

“Very good Sir. Are you here on business or pleasure?”

“A bit of both. I have some business to take care of locally, but I would like to trace some of my ancestors. As I said my family used to live in this property.”

“You could do with talking with Alice, the manageress. Her family has lived in the neighborhood for centuries.”

“Thank you, Jed. You must point her out to me sometime.”

Jed smiled openly. “Just look for the most beautiful woman you have ever seen, and it will be her.”

Paul returned his smile and pursed his lips before commenting sarcastically. “Wow, and she works here?”

Jed ignored the cynicism. “Yes Sir. She works here. Now Mr. Masters, if you can give us a few hours, we will get the room ready. We have a restaurant and a bar which is open for guests.”

“Thank you. Would you get someone to take my cases up to the room when it’s ready and put the car away?”

“Certainly, Sir, and I’ll ask Alice to see to your car.”

Jed pressed the bell on the desk, and Alice looked up. He caught her eye and called her over to him. Alice’s heart began to flutter with excitement.

Let him see me first, see if he remembers.

She walked past Paul without looking at him, up to the desk. Jed said nervously, “He’s finally here.”

“Obviously,” Alice said, her eyebrow lifting cynically. She let her eyes discreetly slip towards his face to get a closer look and held her breath. I could love that face.

“Could you park his car please, Alice? I can’t leave the desk, and there is no one else on duty that can drive?” Jed had raised his voice so everyone could hear and then lowered it to a whisper. “Alice, he is demanding the master bedroom.”

“What!” She said as her eyes searched his face. “Couldn’t you stop him?” 

Jed did not hide the irritation in his voice. “How? He was most insistent; I have tried everything I can think of.” His eyes darted from side to side and lowered his voice conspiratorially to a whisper. “I told you, she’s called him; he is already being drawn to the dark.”

Alice closed her eyes in despair, and whispered “Don’t jump to conclusions. Get Susan to scare him with ghost stories or something; see if that will do the trick.” She fell silent, her mind working out the various likelihoods. “Thinking about it, he would want that room. It was his last time; how stupid of me.”

“Yes it was his, but… Oh nothing.”

Alice eyed him warily. "Come on; what is it?”

 “Well she could have called him, dammit.” He said angrily. “We know he was troubled by what his mother called, red dreams.”

“Don’t be stupid Jed; most ‘Prime’ children do; what a thing to say.”

“Well it is not only his room is it;  it’s still hers as well.”

Again she shook her head lost in thought. “I’ll bare that in mind, thank you for raising the point.”

“Ok Alice, just don’t be blinded by love; you know the risks.”

Jed watched as she silently absorbed his comment and could see the pain and uncertainty in her eyes.

“No Jed the Witch is too weak to get her claws into him; she’s virtually dust now. No she couldn’t.”

Jed interrupted and didn’t hide the sarcasm in his voice. “Oh, ok, if she’s too weak that’s all right then. By the way, head office has said that we are to treat him like royalty, so I had to agree to the room.”

“Royalty! Did they say why?”

“No. Do you think you could find out?”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

After picking up the car keys she turned and, once again, walked past Paul without paying him the slightest interest. She could feel his eyes watching her. Please remember me, Saul. Take a good look.

Paul had to agree with Jed that she was beautiful, and his heart missed a beat at the similarity to the woman in his dreams.

The formalities sorted, Paul went into the bar, which was almost empty. He looked around trying to gauge his first impressions, and made a mental note. They don’t seem to be very busy, no wonder they are going bankrupt.

After ringing the bell on the bar, a familiar voice called out. “Be with you in a minute, Sir.”

Moments later, Jed, the receptionist, came through to the bar. “Right, Sir. What can I get you?”

Paul smiled ruefully. “Do you do everything around here, Jed?”

Jed snorted. “It certainly feels like it some days, Mr. Masters, and today is one of them.”

“Can I try one of your real ales, Jed?”

“Certainly Sir. This is a local Brew, a favorite of mine. See what you think.”

Paul spotted a seat by the window, sat himself down, and took time to take in the decor and feel of the place and mused. It will take a lot to bring this into the twenty-first century, but the whole place has a very homely, familiar feel. We will need to modernize, but we must keep the character to make it work.

One of the guests, a lady in her mid-thirties, came over to Paul. She had long, curly red hair and was very attractive with ample breasts which she did little to hide. Her smile was warm and inviting.

 “I hear you have booked the old master bedroom?”

“Yes,”

Paul got to his feet politely and returned the smile.

“That’s very brave of you.”

“Brave, what on earth do you mean by that…?” He held the word, and she introduced herself.

“Susan, Susan De Winter. Don’t tell me you weren’t warned about the goings-on in that room?”

Paul shrugged. “Not really. Jed said that it had a bit of a reputation, but I didn’t ask. What sort of reputation?”

“You should not sleep in that room without knowing all the facts. Why don’t you buy us both a drink, and I’ll tell you about it?”

Paul thought the lady attractive; even though she was a few years older than him. However, he had nothing better to do and felt it would be nice to have company.

“Certainly. What would you like, Susan?”

She sat down before replying. “Scotch, scotch with water”

Having rung the bell on the bar, Jed again came through from reception. “Could I have another of your real ales, a different one this time, and a scotch with water for the lady?” Jed looked across to see who it was that was sitting with him.

“The lady is not bothering you, is she, Sir?”

“No, she seems fine, just friendly.”

Jed looked in the direction of the lady. “You should be careful, Sir. She can get a bit too friendly if you keep buying her drinks; if you get my drift.”

Paul laughed. “I’ll bear that in mind, Jed, thanks for the warning.”

Paul carried the drinks back to the table. The lady was checking her face in her compact mirror, and Paul was immediately drawn to  her emerald green eyes.

“Here we are one scotch with water. Are you a guest here, Susan?”

“No, I live locally, and have a table booked. The food is quite good here and I don’t like to cook myself.”

“Sorry, I haven’t introduced myself. My name is Paul, by the way. May I say your eyes are so strikingly green, or are they contacts?

Susan studied the young man, trying to determine if it was a compliment or a chat up line. She licked her lips, savoring the scotch and after hedging her bets; smiled.

“They are real, Paul, everything you see is real.”

Paul smiled and lowered his eyes which inadvertently paused on her breasts.

“Those too.”

Paul turned his eyes away, “Sorry, Susan, it was meant as a compliment. “Your eye coloring is striking set against your red hair.”

Again, she licked her lips before replying, enjoying his discomfort. “They say your eyes are a window on your soul, you can tell a lot about people from their eyes. Don’t you think?” He once again held eye contact, and her smile turned into a full-blooded laugh. “If it was a compliment, Paul, I will take it as such; I have Celtic ancestry, but a northern European branch. Anyway I was only messing with you.”

Paul cleared his throat. “So, they are real, I don’t think I’ve ever seen eyes as green as yours.”

“Witches eyes.”

“What?”

She tilted her head studying his reaction. “Witches eyes, everyone knows witches have green eyes.”

“They do; I didn’t realize.” He said and paused for thought. So have I been dreaming of witches all my Life?

“Susan, why am I brave to want the master bedroom? I’ve heard that it’s quite special and extremely beautiful, fit for a Queen, that is according to my grandfather.”

Susan took a sip of her drink and eyed the young American, and her face became serious. “Well, now you have brought the subject of Witches up, I personally haven’t dared go in that room.”

“Why.”

“It was built for a Witch.”

“How would you know a thing like that?

“It’s octagonal. They deliberately built an octagonal room in a square building. Everyone around here knows it was built for a witch. They say there is even a picture of her on the wall. It is usually kept locked these days to keep people out, but there has been rumors of strange goings-on for years. Just think, why would you never let the best room in the hotel?”

“Why, do things go bump in the night, that sort of thing,” he said jokingly.

“More like guests being bewitched by the Witch in the painting, or the room itself. People would book in and you would see them a couple of times, then they would just stay put in the room, never venturing out. They would have breakfast, dinner, and supper all in the room.”

“That doesn’t make sense. You think I am brave because that room is beautiful?”

“It bewitches you. They say you lose yourself if you stay in there.” Susan’s face was still serious. “Then, there are the disappearances?”

“Disappearances?”

Susan took a second sip of her drink. “Yes, weird they are.”

Paul tried to hide his irritation. “Explain “weird.’”

Susan looked from side to side as if she were about to impart some well-kept secret. “Well, about twenty years ago, a guest booked in, usual pattern, the first couple of days mixed with all the guests, friendly-like. Then he started to stay in his room more and more, he had his food in his room then didn’t go out at all. Then one day he was gone.”

 “You mean he just booked out? That doesn’t seem weird.”

“No, he disappeared, vanished, and left all his clothes.”

“Maybe he just thought it was cheaper to leave his clothes there than pay the bill.”

“That’s what the police thought at the time. But the room was locked from the inside and the key still in the lock, and the only other exit was a sixty-foot drop to the ground.”

She took another sip of her drink.

“Twenty years ago, you say.” Paul fell silent for a moment and she left him to his thoughts. Do you remember the date this happened?”

She shook her head. “Not exactly, but Jed should be able to help.” Paul appeared to be troubled by this, and Susan wondered whether she had already succeeded in scaring him off.

“Yes, of course, Susan. That’s interesting. I will ask him later.”

Susan thought she was on a roll and continued. “Rumor has it that it happened before, in the late eighteen-hundreds, and twice in the twentieth century, the same thing, left all their belongings, door locked, gone.”

Paul did not try to hide the irritation in his voice any longer. “So, now and again, someone leaves their gear then goes without paying.”

She ignored the sarcastic remark and continued, “Then there are the deaths?”

Paul shook his head in disbelief. “Oh, do tell.”

Eagerly Susan continued, “There have been two to my knowledge. The last one, I think, was in the early eighties. As I said, Jed will tell you the dates. Then there was one in the sixties.”

“Susan, that’s about one every twenty years?”

Her face was still stern. “You can mock. I am sure it has been twenty years since the last one. I’ve warned you, but it’s your choice.”

“So you are saying every twenty odd years this Witch either kills or enchants these people and they disappear?”

“Yes.”

“So you believe in Witches Susan?

A waiter approached the table. “Miss De Winter, your table is ready now.”

She finished her drink and got to her feet. “Are you really asking a red haired, green eyed woman who lives in Glastonbury if she believes in witchcraft?” She shook her head mockingly. “Americans,” she said disdainfully. “Let’s see how brave you are after a week in that room. Rather you than me.”

 With that, she followed the waiter.

Paul finished his drink and approached Jed at the bar. “Do you have different ale I could try, Jed?”

“Yes, several Sir. Are you getting a taste for them?”

“My grandfather said to try them all, he said it was the thing he missed most about the UK.”

Jed smiled at the American. “He liked our ale, did he? When did he leave for America?”

“He left as a young boy when my great-grandfather sold this place. He got a taste for your ale when he was stationed here during the Second World War. Changing the subject, Susan said someone went missing from that room twenty years ago. Do you have a name?”

Jed continued to pour the ale. “Can’t recall the name, but I remember being told he was a Yank like you. I was on holiday that week.”

“Is there any chance you could find out the name and date?

 “You can see how busy I am at the moment. I would have to go through all the old registers. Is it important?”

“Yes, my father went missing Twenty years ago, and I just wondered…”

“I’ll do it as soon as possible, but it will probably be tomorrow at the earliest.”

“No rush, but I would be very grateful.”

Jed continued to dry the glasses, his eyes trying to measure the young man. “Has Susan been trying to wind you up with ghost stories and all that?”

“Yes, she was very trying.”

“I see, Sir. It didn’t work then?”

“No, of course not. Should it?”

Jed shook his head and kept his face serious. “Me, I wouldn’t want to sleep in there for all the tea in China. It did get a bit of a reputation. So much so that people came from miles around to stay in that room. You know the type, spiritualists, paranormal experts that sort. People were looking for answers, hoping to find the answers to life’s questions, that sort of thing. It was very good for business, though!”

“Did they, Jed?”

“Did they what?”

“Find anything?”

“Find any ghosts? Not that I’m aware of. They were all seeking answers to the most basic question humanity has?”

Paul’s face looked puzzled. “What question would that be?”    

“Why are we here? What is the purpose of life? It’s the question most people ask at some point in their lives unless they know the answer.” Jed studied every nuance on Paul’s face, measuring his reaction to that statement, but saw nothing untoward. “Is that why you wanted the room, Sir?”

“No, no. As I said before, I have been told it’s quite a special room, my grandfather’s old room.”

“I can arrange for a different room if Susan has put the wind up you?”

“Thank you, Jed, but I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

Some other guests came into the bar, and Jed moved off to serve them. Paul took his latest glass of ale over to the table by the window and once again took in the views. In the distance, he could see the ruined Abbey, and above it St Michael’s tower on top of Glastonbury Tor. Absentmindedly Paul drew his finger around the rim of the glass, making it sing. His thoughts drifted back to his childhood once again, to a time twenty years ago and a conversation his mother had with him. Your father seems to have abandoned us. It’s been six months now, not a word, not a phone call, nothing.

His father had gone to Europe on business. This usually meant looking for sites for various new golf courses. His mind began working out the different permutations.

He could have booked in here! Dad and grandpa often discussed the suitability of turning this place into a golf club. The time seems right. If it was him, it would explain why he never contacted us.

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The second Taster chapter goes back to their previous lives in 1605 AD.

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                                14. THE PRIMEVIL

                          GRANDMASTERS 1605 AD

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The ‘Primevil’ Council for Somerset and the Southwest of England was summoned to an emergency meeting at the Wood Henge in the shadow of mount Avalon in Somerset. The ten most powerful Grandmasters in the area were present. The hooded figures wore red robes and sat cross-legged on the bare earth. The early evening mist drifted across the ground, settling in the hollow centered on the Henge. Fog like loose linen draped across the landscape. The air was damp and musky and a smell of rotting vegetation hung about like a cloying veil.

The ten hooded figures sat silently, waiting, heads bowed. The meeting was due to start at sunset. In front of each of them was a pole six feet in length, rising vertically out of the mist, and at the top, a cross perch.

One by one, the birds flew in. They positioned themselves, one on each perch. Every bird that arrived was a hawk of some kind, and nine birds in all flew in. They waited for the tenth, but no one expected it to come. One hour passed before a hooded figure spoke.

“It seems we are all here, so we will begin. This meeting has been called to debate the happenings of the last two weeks. Your choice of bird tells me you have heard the rumor that one of the Grandmasters has left us. First, I will outline the events leading to his demise, and then it will then be open to discussion.

The Grandmaster in question contacted our ‘Primevil’ colleagues six days ago. A Princess from Persia had arrived at their festival with two five-year-old daughters. He was extremely excited because even at the age of five, one of the girls displayed all the attributes of a seer.”

The birds began to chatter amongst themselves, and the Grandmaster waited for them to quieten down before continuing.

“When addressing him for the first time, she knew his birth line and his father’s occupation. This girl had arrived in this country just a few days before and had no contact with anyone at the festival before meeting him. He was ordered to observe this child and report back to us.

During the festivals, a row broke out between the two girls about an arranged marriage for one of them, and he heard the one say that, like her mother, she was also a seer. These girls also had an uncanny ability to control animals, having arrived at the festival on the backs of two giant wolves.”

Again, the birds chattered.

“A decision was taken to remove the girls from their mother to be educated correctly. Our brother, who was also a seer, foresaw the different paths that could be taken, and he chose the one that he thought guaranteed success. He decided the greatest chance of success coincided with the dance of the free spirits. By this time, most of the revelers were incoherent or otherwise engaged. Four of our men killed their guards and took the girls making their escape in the dead of night.

The following day he was attending a meeting between the girl’s mother and the Local Earth Mother and was very surprised that the girls’ mother was untroubled by the fact that they had been taken. They had readied a rescue party, but no one seemed to be in any hurry to rescue the girls. In the meeting with the Earth Mother and the girl’s mother, they let it slip that one of the girls could communicate with animals  as we do with birds and was waiting for a message to give them their location.

The Grandmaster felt he needed to inform our brothers that the girls could be in contact, and as the Shaman could not physically leave the meeting, he decided to call a bird to carry his spirit and warn them. However, it was intercepted by three birds of prey, and the girl’s wolves killed all four men. We lost five brothers, and the girls were reunited with their mother.”

Another speaker lifted his head, indicating he was about to speak. He was acting as the bird’s voice that sat perched above him.

“If our brother was a seer, how could the path that guaranteed success fail?”

Again, the birds all began to chatter.

Another man sat upright and addressed the meeting. “If one so young could out-see a Primevil seer, she would have great potential.”

Another man joined in. “You’re suggesting a five-year-old girl could out-see a Grandmaster. You’re talking nonsense.”

All the men in the circle, except the one with the empty perch, joined in the discussion.

Another man asked, “Where are the girls now?”

The Supreme Grandmaster replied, “We are not sure at present. We did try to retake the girls on several occasions on their journey back to Persia, but our comrades failed repeatedly. We were informed they were heading for the fishing port of Plymouth and had forty men waiting at the port, but suddenly they diverted to the port of Portsmouth. At one point, we had laid an ambush, but at the last second, they again changed route.

Once more, a man lifted his head and commented, “The girl or her mother obviously foresaw the ambush, very impressive.”

The Supreme Grandmaster continued, “Next time, they were spotted on the outskirts of the town of Portsmouth. So, the decision was taken to wait until they arrived at the ship before the next attempt to remove them. Their guards were to escort them to the ship, then leave when the ship sailed. We waited until they arrived in France, and one of our brothers managed to separate the mother from her daughters by directing her to a coach depot well away from the boat. Our men then overpowered the guards, and when we went into the cabin, all three had already fled.”

Another man spoke, “So the child, or the Princess, also foresaw that trap, very clever. Where was the boat going?”

The Supreme Grandmasters’ speaker replied, “It was sailing to Le Havre in France, and the Princess was heading home to Persia.”

Another man spoke, “We must have men watch all the main ports, both here and in France.”

The speaker for the Supreme Grandmaster continued. “We posted them immediately, but we have lost contact at this moment.”

Several of the speakers began to speak amongst themselves.

“Then we have lost them. What a waste.”

“They must be gifted seers to evade our traps, three times on the journey and once on the boat. No wonder our brother was so excited with the child’s potential.”

“Also, the ability to “bewitch animals at such a young age is intriguing.” For a time, the meeting went quiet, the members all contemplating the loss of potentially exciting new members.

Then one of the elders addressed the meeting. “Do we know if the bird carrying our brother’s spirit was close to the girls when it died”

The Supreme Grandmaster replied, “We do not have this information. What is your point, brother?”

“Have we considered the possibility that our brother did not fail? After all, he was a gifted seer.”

The Grandmaster raised his voice in anger. “How did he not fail? He is dead, his memories gone, and the girls have escaped. Of course, he failed.”

The elder continued his voice calm and patient. “Maybe that was all part of his plan.”

Silence descended once again on the meeting.

“Explain yourself, brother.”

“If he foresaw that he could contaminate them by sacrificing himself near the girls. Then in years to come, if either child had a leaning toward the dark it would manifest itself. He probably foresaw this happening, and it is more feasible than a child outwitting one of us.”

“Very interesting; as you say, it would explain how a child could outwit a Grandmaster.”

The elder continued, “For a Grandmaster to give his life on the off chance that one of the girls could be turned, he must have foreseen at least one of them becoming a mighty member of the ‘Primevil,’ possibly even a future Queen.”

The Supreme Grandmaster agreed. “In that case, Grandmasters, I think we must agree there is a greater possibility he did not fail - and that our brother’s memories have not been lost after all.

We will send messengers to all the ports to keep a lookout, but I fear if these girls have the foresight, we think they have we are wasting our time. Only time will tell if our brother’s sacrifice has worked, so all we can do now is wait.

On the other hand, we do know who helped arrange the deception. It was Lord Monkton, He is ‘Prime’ and has been a thorn in our side for many years, as was his brother whom we killed when he crossed us. However, his youngest son is becoming interesting as well, he formed a close bond with the younger of the twin girls, and now he too can communicate with the forest creatures.”

The Supreme Grandmasters’ speaker fell silent as another speaker raised their head. “An impressive skill, to be sure, but is it beneficial to us? The birds again began to chatter between themselves.

When they fell silent, a fresh speaker raised its head. “Supreme Grandmaster, we feel this is a minor skill and of no benefit to us.”

The speaker’s head fell forward, and the Supreme Grandmaster concluded the meeting. “In that case, we will take our revenge on Lord Monkton. He has a substantial estate and many vulnerable tenants. Once again, I feel it is time to show him it is not wise to go against us. I propose we instigate a fresh wave of raiding parties against his tenants. We will make them pay for this outrage. Our members have been getting hungry of late, and I say we let them feast for a while; all those in favor.”

The birds went crazy. The supreme Grandmaster did not wait for the speakers to raise their heads.

“Motion passed.”

The Supreme Grandmaster closed the meeting, and one by one, the birds flew away.