And all before we even set eyes on the
Ordeen . . .'
His reference to lamias made me think of Meg, the
love of my master's life, and her sister, the feral Marcia.
They'd both sailed back to Greece the previous year.
Maybe our route would take us close to where they
were staying? I wondered if he was still missing Meg.
'Will you go and see Meg while we're here?' I asked.
The Spook bowed his head, and for a moment I
thought he wasn't going to answer – or would tell me
in no uncertain terms to mind my own business. But
then he looked up and I saw sadness in his eyes; even
before he began to speak, I knew that he had been
considering it.
'I've thought about it, lad, but decided against it.
You see, she told me where she was heading. By now
she'll be living in a remote farmhouse far to the south.
Because she's kept her distance from people, she'll
have changed back to her feral form. I'd hardly
recognize her now. A year or so and she'll be no
different to her sister, Marcia. She's lost to me now. She
might as well be dead. The woman I knew and loved
is certainly gone, so I'd like to keep my last memories
of her just as they were . . .'
He shook his head sadly and I could think of
nothing to say that might make him feel better. But to
my surprise he was smiling as he got to his feet.
'Do you know, lad, my old bones have never felt
better! It must be the heat and the dry air. No doubt
they'll soon start aching again once we get back to the
County. But for all that, I'll be glad to be home!'
Late that afternoon Seilenos and three of his men
returned after a successful boar hunt. The other
warriors had been out scouting or guarding the
perimeter of the camp.
That night we dined under the stars, on wild boar
and lamb. 'All's well for now,' Mam said. 'There's
plentiful game in the area and the men report that
there's no sign of enemy activity. Tomorrow we press
on towards Meteora.'
Seilenos looked across at the Spook, who was merely
picking at his food. 'Eat up, Mr Gregory!' he said with
a smile. 'We have dark to fight soon. Need to build up
strength!'
The Spook looked back at him dubiously. I could tell
he didn't really approve of Seilenos. 'Back home in the
County, we spooks don't eat much when the dark
threatens,' he replied, his manner cool. 'When things
become critical, we fast, denying ourselves food so that
our minds and spirits are better prepared to face our
enemies.'
The Greek spook shook his head. 'That I cannot
understand!' he cried, throwing up his hands in
bewilderment. 'You weaken yourself by such foolish
practices. Food and wine give strength. Is that not so?
You will need your strength to face the salamander!'
'What's a salamander?' I asked.
'Highest and most powerful form of fire elemental is this salamander.
More powerful even than asteri. A big lizard, it is, basking at the heart
of fierce flames. It spits fire too. Also blows scalding steam from its nostrils.
Need lots of food inside you to fight such a formidable thing. Eat up, young
spook! You will need all your strength soon. Do your wives not feed you well
at home?' Seilenos asked, looking at Arkwright and the Spook in turn.
'I have no wife,' Arkwright growled.
'We County spooks don't marry,' John Gregory
explained. 'A wife and children would distract us from
our vocation, which is to fight the dark.'
'A pretty wife could be a distraction, yes,' Seilenos
agreed. 'Fortunate it is that my wife is ugly and has a
sharp tongue!' he went on, giving me a wink. 'I've five
little ones to bring up too. That's why I travel with you.
To escape wife and earn money from your good
mother!'
I was hungry and ate until I was full. Even so,
compared with Seilenos, I picked at my food. He ate
until his belly seemed sure to burst, applauded by his
men, who seemed to delight in his insatiable appetite.
When I settled down to sleep, he was still eating – and
drinking a good deal of wine.
I thought over what the Spook had reported earlier. Mam hadn't
Ordeen . . .'
His reference to lamias made me think of Meg, the
love of my master's life, and her sister, the feral Marcia.
They'd both sailed back to Greece the previous year.
Maybe our route would take us close to where they
were staying? I wondered if he was still missing Meg.
'Will you go and see Meg while we're here?' I asked.
The Spook bowed his head, and for a moment I
thought he wasn't going to answer – or would tell me
in no uncertain terms to mind my own business. But
then he looked up and I saw sadness in his eyes; even
before he began to speak, I knew that he had been
considering it.
'I've thought about it, lad, but decided against it.
You see, she told me where she was heading. By now
she'll be living in a remote farmhouse far to the south.
Because she's kept her distance from people, she'll
have changed back to her feral form. I'd hardly
recognize her now. A year or so and she'll be no
different to her sister, Marcia. She's lost to me now. She
might as well be dead. The woman I knew and loved
is certainly gone, so I'd like to keep my last memories
of her just as they were . . .'
He shook his head sadly and I could think of
nothing to say that might make him feel better. But to
my surprise he was smiling as he got to his feet.
'Do you know, lad, my old bones have never felt
better! It must be the heat and the dry air. No doubt
they'll soon start aching again once we get back to the
County. But for all that, I'll be glad to be home!'
Late that afternoon Seilenos and three of his men
returned after a successful boar hunt. The other
warriors had been out scouting or guarding the
perimeter of the camp.
That night we dined under the stars, on wild boar
and lamb. 'All's well for now,' Mam said. 'There's
plentiful game in the area and the men report that
there's no sign of enemy activity. Tomorrow we press
on towards Meteora.'
Seilenos looked across at the Spook, who was merely
picking at his food. 'Eat up, Mr Gregory!' he said with
a smile. 'We have dark to fight soon. Need to build up
strength!'
The Spook looked back at him dubiously. I could tell
he didn't really approve of Seilenos. 'Back home in the
County, we spooks don't eat much when the dark
threatens,' he replied, his manner cool. 'When things
become critical, we fast, denying ourselves food so that
our minds and spirits are better prepared to face our
enemies.'
The Greek spook shook his head. 'That I cannot
understand!' he cried, throwing up his hands in
bewilderment. 'You weaken yourself by such foolish
practices. Food and wine give strength. Is that not so?
You will need your strength to face the salamander!'
'What's a salamander?' I asked.
'Highest and most powerful form of fire elemental is this salamander.
More powerful even than asteri. A big lizard, it is, basking at the heart
of fierce flames. It spits fire too. Also blows scalding steam from its nostrils.
Need lots of food inside you to fight such a formidable thing. Eat up, young
spook! You will need all your strength soon. Do your wives not feed you well
at home?' Seilenos asked, looking at Arkwright and the Spook in turn.
'I have no wife,' Arkwright growled.
'We County spooks don't marry,' John Gregory
explained. 'A wife and children would distract us from
our vocation, which is to fight the dark.'
'A pretty wife could be a distraction, yes,' Seilenos
agreed. 'Fortunate it is that my wife is ugly and has a
sharp tongue!' he went on, giving me a wink. 'I've five
little ones to bring up too. That's why I travel with you.
To escape wife and earn money from your good
mother!'
I was hungry and ate until I was full. Even so,
compared with Seilenos, I picked at my food. He ate
until his belly seemed sure to burst, applauded by his
men, who seemed to delight in his insatiable appetite.
When I settled down to sleep, he was still eating – and
drinking a good deal of wine.
I thought over what the Spook had reported earlier. Mam hadn't
Similar Books
