Chapter One


In the fields, away from town she was free. The midday sun shone above her, making the shade under the bole of the tree enticing. Here she would lie down and daydream, about simple things at first before moulding them into grand adventures and battles of epic proportion. If it wasn't too hot she would play next to the scarecrow, pick up a stick and pretend she was her mother, Scarlett Robe. The most courageous hero in all the lands. Sometimes she pretended that the scarecrow was a balverine. She would imagine its lanky body, dark fur and drooling gaping mouth. The teeth were huge and menacing; its eyes were a piercing yellow. She could hear its howl, feel the dread within her.

And then she would strike! And down it went, dead. She was the hero.

Although of course all she knew about balverines came from her mother's books. She had never had the chance to meet one and she doubted she would ever. Oakvale was a small, prosperous town. Idyllic and peaceful. Nothing happened here. Nothing will.

"Theresa!" She heard someone call, her father. He was down at the fence. She smiled and went to greet him. "Papa, its barely afternoon yet. Can I not play a little bit more?" Her father gave a hearty laugh, "if you so wish." He smiled with his eyes. "But the traders are here and I was wondering whether you wanted to buy anything for yourself."

Theresa felt excited at the prospect and then realised she had spent her pocket money a few weeks ago on a new scarf. As if knowing her own thoughts her father said, "Since you have been so good lately I will give you a couple of gold coins for something special. Only condition is you have to take your brother with you. I have to speak to the local fishermen so I won't be able to watch him. Can you do that?"

She nodded, "Yes papa."

"Good. He's up at the house, oh and here are the coins." He handed her a heavy pouch, she guessed there was at least five gold coins in there. "Thank you."

He rubbed her head affectingly. "No worries, be good and have fun."

"Will do!" She waved goodbye and hurried up the hill, across the bridge and down the path to their house. It was the last house on the hill overlooking the valley, although not high enough to see the sea. But that was fine; it was relatively small and cosy. Just how she liked it.

Her brother wasn't outside so she entered, a hint of rosemary wafted through the air. Her father must have been cooking something. It was also warm, the fire was burning. Temptation struck her. It would be so nice to just sit there with a good book in hand and while away the afternoon reading. But she wasn't here for that, perhaps another time. She looked around the room for her brother but he was nowhere to be seen. She sighed, realizing he must have left until…

She noticed a little leg peeking out under the bed on her right. "Brother!" She called softly, but he did not respond. Trying another tactic, she kneeled down next to the bed reached out her arm and tickled his leg. He squirmed, and perhaps for the worse, she soon heard a loud thump and a small cry. "Theresa," he mumbled painfully before pushing himself out from under the bed. "I was studying something." In his hand was a glass jar and inside was a cricket. She was befuddled, "why?"

He sighed, "Because I have nothing better to do." She understood his boredom. Oakvale may be the idyllic place for a peaceful life but it certainly wasn't entertaining. "Well you can study this cricket or come with me to the markets. However I was on strict orders from father to take you." She smiled.

He thought for a moment then nodded, "crickets are really not that interesting. I suppose I'll go but I don't have any pocket money. I spent it all."

"So did I. But papa gave me this coin pouch." She showed it to him."We can share it."

He smiled. "Okay, let' go."

She raised her hand to stop him, "First let the poor cricket out of the glass jar. I'm pretty sure it wants to return to its family."

Her brother mumbled, and then opened the glass jar. The cricket hopped out.

"Good," she said. "We can go now."

Taking his hand, she closed the door behind them and then set off. There were surprisingly no one out this end of town. Usually she would spot women doing their laundry, armed with a big tub of water and soap. Or a man or two chatting up a wee lass at her front step. Instead the road was clear. They must be all in the middle of town where the traders are.

She wondered what she might get, perhaps a book or some new shoes. Maybe even a box of chocolates. The thought made her feel hungry. She hadn't eaten since breakfast. There were probably some sandwiches to be had at the tavern. Gus, the barkeeper was sometimes quite generous and would let her and her brother have some free food.

As they came around the corner Theresa spotted the traders, they had set up stalls around the tree in middle of town. Someone had wrapped colourful paper, cut up in triangles and strung together with string around the tree's branches. It was beautiful.

"Theresa!" A soft, feminine voice called to her. Anita. She turned to see her best friend coming towards her. Anita was a pretty little thing, with curly gold locks and warm blue eyes. A daughter of a rich merchant she was always dressed in the latest fashions. Today she wore a long, green dress with silver brocade and a raised collar.

They hugged each other. "There is a trader who has travelled Samarkand here! He has such lovely stock."

Theresa's eyes widened. "Really?"

"Yes, really." Anita laughed. "Come, I'll show you."

They followed Anita to the stall facing the armoury shop. The stall was packed with jewels and exotic scarfs, gold etched tomes and stunning objects of various origins. The trader was talking with a young boy, about their age with ruddy brown hair. She couldn't see his face as he had his back turned to her. But as soon as he turned around she recognised that face full of freckles.

"Orrin!" Hearing his name Orrin beamed when he saw them. "Hey Theresy. Anita."

Her brother tugged on her sleeve, "Can I go to the sweets stall whilst you talk to your friends?" She nodded. "Here have some coins for something you like." She reached inside the coin pouch and took out three gold coins before handing them to him. As soon as the coins were in his hand he hurried off to the sweets stall.

"So Orrin, I thought you wouldn't be coming to Oakvake until my birthday?"

He chuckled, "plans change. Father wants to teach me a few mercantile tips. I won't be able to make your birthday party though; mother is taking me to her sister's place in Bowerstone. I'm sorry about that."

Theresa tried to hide her disappointment but she feared it was too late, a frown was forming. "Oh, okay. I hope you have fun there."

"Doubtful. They are arranging my marriage."

"Your marriage!" Anita exclaimed.

"Yeah, the Murgo family starts preparations early. But don't worry it's just the business end of it, I shouldn't be married until I'm at least seventeen."

"Why would they do that?" Theresa asked.

Orrin sighed, "Its tradition. We marry to gain status, money not for love. And I doubt that would change soon. My only reservation is that it means my trip abroad is delayed. Samarkand sounds wonderful, Terry here-"He pointed to the trader who was managing the stall.

"-has had some grand adventures there. I expect there are many more places to be explored, treasures to find. At least better treasures than some of the junk my father collects."

"That would be wonderful." Theresa so wished to join him, anything was better than staying here.

"It would be. But anyway since I will be missing your birthday, come to my stall and pick anything for your early birthday present."

"Really? Anything?"

"Yes," he smiled. "Anything."

"I'll just wait here Theresa." Anita said. "You go and get your present."

Theresa nodded then followed Orrin to his stall. It was a general items store with a few essentials but on the left hand side there were a few items of the exquisite sort. "Hello Theresa." Mr Murgo, Orrin's father, greeted her. "How are you today?"

"I'm good. You?"

"Haha, splendid. I hear you are getting an early birthday present, feel free to have anything from my wares. It's on the house."

Theresa thanked him then turned her eye to the exquisite items once again. It was a relatively small collection. She eyed a few books that met her fancy. But then she spotted it…

A locket. Small, round, bronze and fitted with a chain. She picked it up and examined. It wasn't simple, the ends were bevelled and on the surface were quite a few engraved markings. Each marking was different, detailed and cursive. They glinted in the sunlight. She clicked it open and saw that inside there was nothing. Disappointed she was about to close it when text started to appear on the marbled inside. It must have something to do with the light because as she took it out of the shade the text formed much more quickly. When it was fully formed, her breath stopped as she marvelled at the two words.

Malachy Tam

And then she blacked out.


"Theresa?"

The world was hazy as she tried to regain her senses. A splitting pain felt lodged inside her head. She moaned.

"Are you okay?"

She nodded. Her eyes adjusted to the light. She was lying down on a chair under the tree surrounded by both Orrin and Anita. Mr Murgo was off in the distance near his stall.

"How long was I out?" She asked.

Anita answered, "A couple minutes. What happened?"

Theresa thought for a second, "I'm not sure. For one moment I was looking at the locket, the next it was black. It must be the sun."

Orrin nodded, "perhaps so. Do you want us to help you get home?"

"Yes, please."

"Well, then. Anita can you hold her other arm, we'll lift her up."

Theresa stopped them, "No I think I can get up myself." She tried but her legs were shaky. It was useless.

Understanding, the two on cue lifted her up from the chair and linked their arms through hers. Orrin on the left, Anita on the right.

"Wait." Theresa said. "I forgot my present."

"Oh, yeah." Orrin answered. "What did you want again?"

The answer was immediate. "The locket. I want the locket."

There was a pause, and then Orrin left Theresa to lean on Anita as he grabbed the locket from the stall. "That was a quick." He muttered.

"Why?" Theresa asked.

"Well," he said. "We had an old lady donate it to us on the way here. She was adamant she wouldn't get any money for it and that we must take it. Normally an item stays in stock for at least a couple days, but this locket…In a matter of a couple hours it's gone. I'm surprised. I hope you enjoy it." He smiled.

"Why would she donate it?"

Orrin shrugged, "I'm not sure. It was at least worth thirty gold coins. Perhaps she really did not need any money; some old ladies are quite rich you know."

"Perhaps," Theresa agreed, wondering.

He handed her the locket before linking his right arm with her left. "I suppose we should gather your brother before we head off then?"

She nodded. Although her brother might be too preoccupied with the sweet stall to bother complying to come with them. But then again she always had a few tricks up her sleeve.


That night under the light of a candle Theresa studied and studied the locket. The markings were strange but she had a gut feeling that they were meaningful. That they served a purpose outside looking pretty.

She knew she hadn't felt light headed before looking at the locket earlier that day, and she suspected that it was the locket that made her black out. But how could a locket do that? It didn't make sense. She couldn't see the words but she knew they were there, all they needed was sunlight. It didn't matter anyway, she knew them. They made her flutter with excitement when she thought about it.

Malachy Tam.

Who was he? Was this his locket? And why would that old woman donate it without asking for payment? She did not understand but she was determined to find out.

One way or another.