Echoes from the Lost Ones (19 page)

“Rightly fine. And when he does, we can continue our mission?”

“In time. Brother Jude is waiting.”

Brother Dominic stood so rigid and firm of purpose that I utterly failed to suggest that I go to the Abbot right quickly. I simply said, “Right, fine and how long will I need to be with this monk?”

“Oh, I cannot say, but it may be a while.”

A sigh from Marcellus filled the room and both he and Wirt snorted in derision. Wirt folded his arms and wobbled his head as if he were about to blub. “And what are we to do whilst she is so occupied?”

Brother Dominic waved his arm in a massive arc around the room. “You are in a library. The only one left in all of NotsoGreatBritAlbion. I would have thought that you and Marcellus could quite easily busy yourselves for many moons with the reading of these rare tomes.”

Wirt looked down. “Ye being funny or what?”

“I do not have much capacity for jest. I am a monk of an order that relishes thought and contemplation. Frivolities are for those who have less time or inclination for matters of importance.”

“I did not glean so much from what ye just said there Brother, but if ye are not jesting then ye must be thick.”

“I am no such thing, young man.”

“I am a Forestdweller. I have not done so much in the way of reading. Not sure if the Clonie over there has either.”

“We not look at words, we speak and tell,” Marcellus said and got up from the table. He ambled over to Eadgard and put his hands behind his back.

Brother Dominic scratched his head and blinked once or twice. “We have books with pictures. Lots of them in fact. I’m sure Sister Gabriel will be happy to show you where they are.”

“We not comfortable with notion of spending time with said Sister.”

“Granted, Marcellus, Sister Gabriel reacted to your presence with unusual enmity. However, I believe it was the shock of seeing a creature she thought extinct.”

“All same, we not happy,” Marcellus said.

Eadgard led Marcellus back to the table. “I will stay and gladly keep you company.”

“Aye, me too. I am all a-weary anyhow,” Wirt said and joined them.

“A good idea. Now, Adara, please come with me.”

I did not know why I felt compelled to do the Brother’s bidding, but something dull seemed to sit inside my head. So heavily that all thoughts of what I was and what I should be doing, drifted away. I nodded to the others and gave a shrug as if to suggest my compliance in what was to occur, and followed Brother Dominic towards the exit.

I stopped at the door, took one last look back and saw Sister Gabriel stagger towards Wirt, Marcellus, and Eadgard with a whole pile of thick books in her arms. They yawned, put their elbows on the table and used their fists to prop up their weary heads. My heart flip-flopped all quickly and I gasped quite breathless for a sec. Then whatever it was that caused such anxiousness, disappeared. I turned away, stepped into the corridor and shuffled after Brother Dominic, not knowing what was to come next.

Chapter Twenty-One

Brother Jude

We turned down another wide passageway made up of small, grey, uneven bricks that gave the place a gloomy tone. Half way down we stopped by a dark recess in the wall. Brother Dominic stepped into it and gestured for me to follow. I did and saw a narrow staircase made from the same lumpy stone. It twisted up and round and try as I might I could not see an end to it.

“At the top of these stairs is a room. It will be the place where you will reside during your stay with us. It is also the room that Brother Jude abides.”

“What? I’m to linger in the same spot with an oldie? Nah, this is wrong and somewhat sordid.”

“Not so. Let me put your mind at rest by reassuring you of Brother Jude’s advancing years and his vow of celibacy. He will not be a threat to your maidenhood. He is your mentor and guide to achieving your true potential. You must listen and act on his teachings.”

“Some of what you said filtered through and I am a little reassured. Eadgard. Sister Gabriel made much of my inexperience. It maybe goodly to partake of learning to better my chances of finding my bro. I’ll be allowed some rec time? To see Wirt and the rest?”

“Of course. You will take your meals in the dining room.”
 

“The place of sitting down?”

“Exactly. Now, please, follow me.”

I wriggled my shoulders and felt the reassuring thud of my Synthbag against them. All thoughts about the other thingy that I thought I needed to do vanished. My mind focused on the unsavoury notion that I must dwell with a near-dead ‘dult. I was somewhat feared at meeting Brother Jude, never having really got up close to a wrinkleyone before, except for Greatgrangran. All the ancients in Cityplace went to linger as one group, put away from the rest when they reached a goodly age. We saw them on special occasions, mostly from afar when they trundled around the so-called “One-and-only-Park.”

I followed Brother Dominic onto the staircase, which became narrower the higher we climbed. And though I am trained and toned, I found the ascent stressful upon the lungs and breathed heavily and loud. Brother Dominic seemed not to take in air and flittered up the steps as if they weren’t there at all. I marvelled at his vigour, seeing that he too could be deemed as old.

Just when I thought that I might topple from lack of oxygen, Brother Dominic came to a halt. He stopped by a wide flat area illuminated by a patterned glass window. The light streamed through it and made little coloured blocks of red and blue stick to the wall and floor like un-curved rainbows. It also lit up a dark brown door.

“We are here. As you can see there are no other rooms but this one. No one comes here so you will not be disturbed. Now I must leave you. You must enter alone,” he said and walked past me.

“Oy, no wait a sec. I cannot go in solo.”

“You will. You must. It is the way of things,” he said, turned and walked down the spiral staircase. I called his name but he did not answer. Folding my arms, I stared at the bars of colour that changed shape before my eyes and wondered what to do. Then I heard an unfamiliar sound come from Brother Jude’s room. It was a high, thin warbley noise like something a raptor chickle might make if it was sickly. It changed to a low, low, growl and despite my uneasiness, I stepped closer to its source.

From behind the imposing door, a nasal whine floated out. It was the darndest thing I had ever heard. It seemed to slip into my ear holes as delicately as a wisp of summer wind and I could not help but press my lobe against the dark wood to better hear. However, I did not get the chance to eavesdrop further, as said door was pulled sharply open. I saw nought but blur and ended up all splattered face down onto a soft pelt. After spittle-spatting out some ancient fluff, I gathered together my surprised senses and stood.

Before me was a tall, thinly ancient. His eyes were large and the palest blue I had ever seen. Unlike the other monks that I saw, he had a thick head of white hair that hung down to his shoulders and his face was smooth. I had expected many lines and wrinkles. But despite the lack of crevices, he had an air of age about him and smelt of burning wood. His nose was as large and similar in shape to the beak of an eagle, and his lips were full and red.

“Adara, welcome,” he said in a honey voice. So sweet and rich in friendship that I gave myself up to cheer and held out my hand just like that. He took it and clasped his fingers around mine. His grip was strong for one so rich in time passing and I squeezed back, not wanting him to let go.

“Yes, for sure you are the one. She with six instead of five. She with hair the colour of ripe corn and eyes the colour of a winter sky. She that can save herself from danger of assault. Adara, the catcher of birds. Adara, the singer of dreams to come,” he said and dropped my hand.

“S’pose so,” I said, all lame, and felt a familiar heat flush up my neck and cheeks.

“Do not be awkward with who you are. We are all to play a part in what is to come. Granted, your role will be pivotal, but all who stay with you will have a function meaningful. Ah, my girl, how long I have waited for you. I am all-skittish as if a boy again. Come let us sit and unbend before the work begins.”

He took my am and led me to a grand wooden chair with a high back carved in animal shapes. I sat upon the red cushion and felt my backside sigh at the softness of it all. I let my weary upper limbs slump upon the arms of the chair and leant back. Brother Jude pulled a similar seat to face me and also sat. He put his elbows on his knees, rested his chin on his cupped hands and grinned.

“I will need to hear what you can do before we begin your training. So, if you would be so kind as to go to that far window, open it and call forth a raptor or two, I will be able to assess your ability and tailor your classes accordingly.”

A look of worry spread across my brow and I bit my lip. Brother Jude sat back and stared hard into my eyes. Then without another word, he stood, went to the window that was made up of criss-cross diamond shapes, and opened it. He leant out and I heard a high-pitched shrill sound. “Eagle, I think and quite near. Come, try it. Call to this creature.”

I stood and went to the window. Brother Jude stepped aside and I put my head out. I saw snow-capped tips of mountains in the distance. Clouds swirled around them like ghosties at play and I felt a shiver pass through my innards. The air was cold and clean and I closed my eyes and filled my lungs with its purity.

“Sing, Adara. Call its name, its true name, and it will come.”

“What? I don’t know what birds call themselves.”

“Then listen and it will tell you.”

I stretched my neck out farther, squeezed my eyes shut tighter, and focused my hearing on the screams and shrill notes that floated around my head. I listened intently, and to my surprise, heard a name of sorts. I opened my mouth and sang the note that best resembled the one I heard. In no more than the passing of a breath, I earholed the shriek of a large raptor. I pulled back from the window and in flew a golden eagle. It flapped and flopped around the room leaving large brown striped feathers on the floor. I shielded my face with my hands lest it decided to munch upon some fresh meat.

“Soothe it, quickly.”

“How?”

“Lower your voice to the tenderest of a sound.”

I did so and made a “Coo, coo” noise almost in a whisper. The bird ceased its panic and came to rest upon the arm of Brother Jude’s chair.

“There, my friend. No need to fear,” he said, walked over to it and to my gasps, began to stroke its head. The creature half closed its eyes and ruffled up its feathers before settling down to a snooze.

“Brother Jude, that was impressivo in the extreme. How came I to tame such a wild and dangerous thing?”

“This bird is not tame. You have merely caused it forget its fear of humans. You have caused it to believe that it is among friends who will do it no harm. You have also added a note or two that has made it forget what tasty morsels we are.”

“How did I do that?”

“By listening to its heart. You must have done something similar before?

“I have, a little. I called upon a chikle to return to…” I stopped before I blabbed about the Lady camp.

 
“Ah, I knew it.”

“How long will it stay?” I said by way of diverting his thoughts from what I almost revealed.

“Until you sing another tune to make it want to flee.”

“I cannot do such a thing. I can only make them gather and do the thing they do. Which is tear and rip and nosh upon flesh.”

“But you have.”

“Well, nah. Not really. The chickle wanted to return. My name dictates what I must do and that is to catch I guess and not to change their minds.”

“Your name guides. It is you who dictates how you use your power.”

I dared to approach the bird. Brother Jude gestured for me to stroke it. I did with more than a little trepidation. When it angled its head so that I could scratch underneath its chin, I was filled with the same pleasure and tender-feel as when I stroked the kittle for the first time. I turned to the ancient monk and saw a look of rapture upon his face.

I let my hand fall to my side and said, “What was your given?”
 

“Alawn.”

“The bringer of melody. The singer of joy.”

“Indeed.”

“You sang for many and made them all happy?”

“No. At first, all I could do was make people sleep with my song. Then I received a calling from the Onetruegod and the path that I must follow. All I learned came from far away, a high and holy place called Tibet.”

“I have seen vids of the place. The monks wear orange and do the dandiest chants. But they do not follow the BabyCheesus.”

“No, but they follow a similar doctrine of peace and love to all. And they possess the strongest of powers. They taught me well. Now it is time to pass on what I can to you.”

“I am willing and ready,” I said.

“Let us begin. Send the eagle home. Try a low sound, from the belly.”
 

I took in a huge breath and let forth a low guttural tone that sent the birdie whisking through the still open window and out into the fading light. Brother Jude shut said portal, stood opposite me, closed his eyes and took a lungful so deep that I thought he would explode. Then he parted his lips ever so slightly and let out a low-pitched bass sound that burrowed into my body. I felt it resonate throughout my insides and skull, so much so that I began to quiver. He made the noise louder and deeper and I became aware of air between my feet and the floor below me. I peered down and saw that I was floating some ways from the ground.

Now, normally I would be all set to barf from the motion of it all being dizzy from the height, but his voice was so strong and secure that I gladdened to be defying gravity with such ease. I let myself succumb to the lack of ground and felt a tingle inside and out. All nausea and fright melted away and I near burst with the thrill of it. He slowly raised the pitch and I descended. My legs wobbled for a sec then I stood straight and tall, a grin spread right across my mush.

“Catcher of birds must learn what it feels like to fly in order to know how to control the soaring of those with wings. Raptors are the most difficult to control.”