Chapter 11 – The Sword Points the Way
"Is she here yet?" Luke asked yet again.
"I'm sure she'll be here soon," Brenda smiled.
Luke sighed. Again. "But it's been ages," he moaned. "I want her to be here now."
Bronev checked his phone and smiled. It was a text from Emmy. We'll be here soon, it read. Bronev turned to Luke.
"Don't worry, boy. I just got a message from her. She's on her way."
Luke jumped up from his seat and ran to the window, as did Flora, Aurora, and Aldaz. Brenda smiled again. "A watched kettle never boils," she laughed.
There was a knock on the door and Luke jumped up again.
"That's her!" he cried. Luke ran out of the room and opened the door hurriedly.
"Oh," he said rather disappointedly. "Hello, Jai. Or is it Sinead? I'm confused."
"Nope, still Sinead," the girl replied. "Jai told me to come back and wait until she comes back so that she can do watch later."
"Okay," Luke said, stepping aside to let her in. "What have you been up to?"
"Getting chips, like I wanted to earlier before I got shot," Sinead replied, following Luke to the living room. Luke chuckled and offered Sinead a seat, which she gratefully accepted. Luke turned to the others.
"Everyone, this is the actual girl who got shot. Sinead. Jai's gone for now, but apparently she'll be back later."
"Are you hungry Sinead?" Brenda asked.
"No, that's why I ran out so fast earlier. I wanted to get to the chipper before it closed," Sinead replied, making everyone else laugh. "Though I suppose I'll have to eat for both me and Jai, as she doesn't eat at all, ever."
"Why?" Flora asked.
"Search me," Sinead replied, stretching. "I don't know how she can run around all over the show without eating, though. I can't and we've both got the same body, for crying out loud. I can't even miss breakfast without my stomach going ape on me."
Xavier laughed. "You sound like Emmy. She can barely go an hour without eating."
"And rightly so," Sinead said.
There was another knock on the door and Luke got up again. "Hopefully it's Emmy this time," he thought.
He opened the door to find that it was Emmy, accompanied by the professor and Celeste.
"Emmy!" he cried, running out the door and jumping up into her arms.
Emmy laughed and held him close. "Good to see you too, apprentice number one."
Luke let go of her and smiled. "Are you okay?" He noticed the swelling on her face and a worried expression spread across his face.
"Don't worry, it's not as bad as it looks," Emmy said in response to his expression. "Why don't we go inside?"
Luke stepped out of the way and the professor, Emmy and Celeste all entered the house and into the living room. Brenda stood up as soon as Emmy entered.
"How are you feeling now?" she asked, giving Emmy a hug.
"Much better, thank you," Emmy replied happily, hugging her back.
Brenda let go of her and smiled.
Carla got up and went over to Emmy. "Hey, Emmy," she said.
Emmy beamed and threw herself into Carla's arms. They laughed happily, rocking each other.
"How are you? I never got to ask earlier because I was so out of it!" Emmy said.
"I'm good. Antonio has gone out to book us some rooms in a hotel, but he'll be back later," Carla replied, letting go of Emmy.
Emmy held her at arm's length and grinned. She spotted Aldaz and Xavier hovering in the background and smiled. She beckoned them over and pulled them both into a group hug. Xavier pulled a rotten face, but Aldaz beamed. Emmy laughed, noticing Xavier's expression, and let go of them, but Aldaz held onto her. She smiled and wrapped her arms back around him.
"I've really missed you, Emmy," he whispered.
"I've missed you too," she whispered back. She kissed him on the forehead. She then looked around again. "Hi Flora!" she said, noticing the little girl hovering around awkwardly in the background.
"Hi Emmy!" Flora said brightly. She walked over to Emmy.
Emmy finally let go of Aldaz to give Flora a hug. Flora smiled, hugging her back.
The professor smiled at the pair. Emmy beamed at him over Flora's shoulder.
Emmy let go of Flora and turned back to Carla. "So where's Vinnie?" she said.
"At the hotel in Glanmire where he's staying," Carla replied. "But I'm afraid the situation is worse than we anticipated."
"What do you mean?"
"Monica and Stacey Monroe are both here to make your life that little bit happier," Bronev said sarcastically.
Emmy groaned audibly as Celeste and Bronev laughed.
"What's she doing here?" Emmy moaned. "Doesn't she know where she's not wanted? First she nicks my boyfriend then she comes to rub my nose in it!"
"Ah, stop whining Emmy," Xavier grinned. "It could be a lot worse, you know."
"How?" Emmy sulked.
"You could have no boyfriend and look like Monica!"
"Xavi, don't be so rude!" Carla snapped as Emmy doubled over with laughter.
"Hey, that's good; can I use that one on her?" Emmy asked, trying to regain her composure.
"Sure," Xavier grinned.
Carla smiled. "It may be rude, but by God does she deserve it."
"Anyway," Bronev cut in. "Emmeline, you have had a long journey. I really think you should be resting."
"Yeah," Emmy said and she sat down on the sofa next to Sinead.
"I'd better be off," Celeste said. "I need to check on the other resistance sectors to see if they've got their rotas sorted yet."
"Okay. I'll probably see you tomorrow," Bronev said.
"Bye Doctor. Thank you for everything," Emmy said.
Celeste smiled at Emmy and left.
"I wonder what the press have got to say for themselves," Brenda said, turning on the TV to the news channel.
"... and we have been told that several inspectors from Scotland yard have been sent on behalf of the British government to aid Bronev in his investigation into the whereabouts of this man. His true identity and motives are at present unclear, but as they have the assistance of one Professor Hershel Layton..."
"That's you, Professor!" Luke said excitedly.
"... then we're sure that the government will have the answers that they are searching for soon. We now go live to our news correspondent, Sarah Finnegan.
"Thank you. We are live outside of the burnt down Jameson's warehouse on the outskirts of the town Midleton, where a young woman was held captive last night..."
"Emmy!" Luke exclaimed.
"... by the name of Emmeline Bronev. Police have informed us that Emmeline was admitted to hospital with multiple stab wounds and severe bruising to her face..."
"One stab wound," Emmy scoffed.
"... There were three men left unconscious at the scene, who each suffered from bruising and burns from the blast, which took place shortly before Miss Bronev was rescued by police..."
"What the fuck!" Sinead exclaimed. "It was Jai who saved her, not the police! What a bunch of glory-hoggers!"
"... and sent to hospital. Several of the man's henchmen were arrested by police after the incident, who were seen in the vicinity of the warehouse after the blast, so it was assumed by police that it was them who blew it up in an attempt to assassinate Miss Bronev..."
"But I thought it was you two who blew up that warehouse?" Carla asked.
"It was," Xavier said. "But at least we got away with it."
"... the locals are evidently shocked at the events that took place here. One local has said that he "has never seen the likes of this in all the twenty-five years he has lived in this town." The police are working tirelessly alongside the resistance in order to find this man and stop his serious actions and to prevent anyone else from being harmed."
"Jesus," Sinead said incredulously. "Half of that was a crock of shit. All that about the police doing all the work and they didn't even mention Jai, Carla or Antonio! Bastards!"
"I agree," Emmy said. "They're just twisting it in order to make them look good. It's a disgrace."
"Well, I'm afraid there's nothing that can be done about that for the time being," the professor said. "But we must prepare for what Vaughan has in store next."
"What's the plan?" Luke said determinedly.
"We need more information on the Grounds of Rebirth. Emmy mentioned that you found a rough location on one of the renaissance artefacts, Bronev. Do you remember anything about it?"
"Yes," Bronev replied. "There was one rumoured to be hidden around this area, around the school and the lodge. But I dug up and searched numerous places in the vicinity and I found nothing. But..."he looked at Aurora. "Maybe you can change that."
Everyone turned to Aurora.
"No," she said. "I can't. Jai said that no human will be able to find it."
"But you can?" Flora asked. "We need to find it before he does, Aurora, or many people can be put in danger by the affects of him using them."
"I know," Aurora said. "But the temptation of using it... it may be too much for you."
"We will not use it, we just want to keep it from Vaughan," the professor explained.
"That is not good enough," Aurora said sadly. "I want to help, I really do, but Jai told me not to."
"Yeah," Sinead said suddenly. "She's saying it now. She's telling me to stop you."
"What do you mean?" Bronev asked sharply.
"I..."Sinead trailed off. " I think she wants to come back." She suddenly went pale. "I'll be back."
And she ran out of the room.
"What on earth?" Emmy exclaimed, but Sinead re-entered the room before she could finish.
"Sorry about that," she said. "I'm back. I'm Jai. And as I was saying to the girl, you must not meddle with the locations of the artefacts. It is dangerous."
"Listen," the professor said. "We will not use them. We will not even touch them if you do not wish us to do so. We only want them to be out of Vaughan's reach. We need to find them."
"No," Jai said firmly.
"Please," the professor said. "I implore you to help us. Please. You will be the only person to touch those artefacts, you will be in charge. We will do exactly as you say. We only want to help.
Jai thought about it. She sighed.
"Rachel Bronev... Claire Folley... Juanita Van De Garde... Paloma and Daniel Chovanek... all of these people are dead and gone, never to be brought back."
"We know," the professor said.
Jai sighed again. "Fine," she said.
Aurora's eyes widened. "Are you sure about this?" she asked.
"Yes," Jai said, but she looked uncertain. "Although I feel as though I am making a horrific mistake."
"You aren't," the professor reassured her.
"... alright. But if everything goes wrong, which I am more than certain it will, it is not my fault?"
"No," Bronev said.
Jai sighed yet again. "Fine." And she pulled a large knife out of her pocket. She held it out to Layton. "Do not touch," she warned. "No human can touch this."
"Right," he said, studying it as carefully as he could in Jai's hands. "I believe that this is Azran inscription, is it not?"
Bronev stepped forward t get a better look at it. "It certainly is of Azran style," he murmured. "Where did you find this?"
"Under the school," Jai replied. "There is an underground chamber beneath the school, which can be opened by the chant of the emissary."
"Aurora?" Emmy asked. It suddenly dawned on her. "Is that where you two went before?"
"Yes," Jai said. "We knew you were following us, so we lost you and went to collect it before Vaughan discovered its location."
"But why did you keep this from us?" Emmy asked. "Do you really not trust us?"
"No, I don't," Jai said, "But that's not the only reason. I thought I could prevent what is to come, but I cannot. The only way you humans will learn of the true nature of the Grounds of Rebirth is if you experience it firsthand. That is how I learned, that is how the Azran learned, and that is how you must learn also. I cannot save you. The darkness souls have warned me of this. I must aid you in finding the artefacts, but only if you truly desire this. It is evident that you do."
"But –" Aurora began.
"No, Aurora. We cannot tell them of those horrors. To understand, really understand, they must see it for themselves."
"How do we find them?" Bronev asked.
"This sword," Jai said, "is the key to it all. It is written in the inscription."
Desmond looked at it. "... sword... the way... the sword... points... the way." He looked at Jai. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"The sword is key to finding the artefacts," Jai explained. "The sword is not an artefact, as such, it is the tool used to find them. The Azran invented it after their experience with the Grounds of Rebirth."
"And how can one sword help you to find all the artefacts?" Emmy asked.
"It is simple," Jai said. "When you expose the sword to sunlight, a ray of light emits from it and whichever direction it points in is the location of the nearest artefact."
"Hence, the sword points the way," Desmond said, intrigued. "How very elaborate."
"We must inform Celeste of this breakthrough," Bronev said firmly. "We must also get a group together and set off first thing tomorrow. It is crucial that we get those artefacts as soon as possible."
"Agreed," Desmond said.
Bronev left the room, phone in hand, ready to call Celeste. Emmy followed.
"Come, Raymond. We must repack and prepare for the journey ahead."
"As will I," the professor said. "Randall, Henry and Angela will be coming tonight. I'm sure Randall and Henry will be coming on our trip as well."
"I'm going too," Luke said.
"No," the professor said.
Luke's face fell. "Why not?"
"The professor is right," Jai said. "I don't think any of the children should go. It is perilous out there. Too dangerous for any child. I would strongly advise you to send the fewest number of people out there as possible."
"Right," Desmond said. "Layton, Bronev and I will go. Randall and Henry will say behind and do research."
"And Emmy has been ordered by Superintendant Grosky do act as a sketch artist with the two girls who found the body, so I think she ought to stay behind as well," the professor said.
"I will go," Clark said firmly.
"No," Brenda snapped.
Everyone turned to look at Brenda. Usually she was very quiet and never raised her voice but this was a different situation.
"I won't let you put yourself in danger Clark. I love you too much to lose you, and so does Luke. Please stay." She looked terribly upset.
Clark sighed. "But I have to do something. Anything. That man tried to hurt Luke. My son."
"And you're already doing enough, what with covering watch and everything else. Jai said that it's dangerous out there and it's bad enough that Hershel is going out there, never mind you."
"I will protect all that accompany me on this journey," Jai said. "But I can't always be there."
"Then I'll have to take that risk," Clark said. "Brenda—"
"No," she said again.
Jai sighed. "Listen to me. I have only one rule when it comes to travelling with me. If the situation gets out of hand, run and leave me behind. I don't care what happens, just run and save yourselves. And if it happens that you disobey that rule and live to tell the tale, I'll kill you myself. Is that clear?"
Everyone nodded.
"I swear that I will run as soon as it gets too dangerous," Clark swore. "I promise you, Brenda."
Brenda sighed. "I can't lose you, Clark."
"You won't. I promise."
"So is he going?" Desmond asked.
Brenda nodded, a worried expression fixated to her face. Clark wrapped his arms around her comfortingly.
Luke sighed. "I need to go as well."
"For God's sake, no!" Brenda yelled. "No one else is going! Bronev, Desmond, Clark and Hershel! That's it! I can't take any more worry than that! And don't you give me that look young man, the answer is no! I don't care if I have to chain you to the bedpost, you are not going and that is it! What is it with you men, throwing yourselves into danger at a seconds notice?"
Emmy and Bronev returned, looking confused. "What's with all the yelling?" Emmy asked.
"Luke wants to go and find the artefact," Flora said angrily. "And so does the professor. But I don't want anyone to go. What if they get killed? The professor is all I've got!" She looked close to tears.
The professor put an arm around Flora. "I'll be fine. I will run as soon as it even appears to be dangerous. I promise you Flora. I'll be back as soon as we get the artefact."
Flora sniffed.
"I think it may be best if I go alone," Jai suggested. "You all have loved ones here whereas I have none."
"No," the professor said. "We will accompany you and help you find your way. As a gentleman, it is my duty to help a young lady."
"And as the emissary of birth and rebirth, it is my duty to protect your race from the supernatural," Jai pointed out. "I have made my decision. Come if you must, but stay at a reasonable distance from the artefact until it is in my possession. If you neglect to follow this rule, I will not be responsible for what happens."
"Alright," the professor said reluctantly.
"So, they won't be in any danger?" Flora asked, wiping her eyes.
"As long as they stay where I tell them, no. They will be perfectly safe."
"Then I can go too?" Luke said hopefully.
"NO!" Brenda snapped.
"So myself, Bronev, Layton and Clark it is," Desmond clarified. "Oh, Emmy, you will have to stay here and do the sketch art for the two girls. I hope you understand."
"Of course," Emmy said. She looked worriedly at Bronev.
"I will be there for archaeological purposes only. I will be fine," Bronev reassured her.
Emmy nodded, still worried.
"We will set off tomorrow at eight o'clock. We will meet here," Bronev decided.
"Right. Raymond and I will take our leave," Desmond said. "Good day to you all." And he and Raymond left.
"So, this time tomorrow, we will be one step ahead of Vaughan?" Luke asked.
"Precisely," Jai said. "This time tomorrow, the sword, as it said, will point the way."
"So how long will it be until we get there?"
"I'm not sure, Master Randall. Another fifteen minutes at least."
Randall sighed. He was worried about his best friend and wondered if he was alright. Angela sensed this and put her arms around him.
"Don't worry, Randy. Hershel is probably fine. He can handle himself. Don't worry."
"I know, Angie. But I can't help but worry. That situation sounds very dodgy to me, and that one about Emmy getting kidnapped and held in a warehouse. It was all over the news."
"But they said that the police rescued her and that she's in hospital now. She must be fine."
Randall didn't reply, but remained worried for the rest of the drive. He only looked up when they pulled up in the estate. He grabbed his bags and quickly got out of the car.
He ran to number 12 as fast as he could, with Angela in hot pursuit. He knocked on the door hastily.
The door opened and there stood Luke. "Mr. Ascot! Angela!" he exclaimed. "The professor will be delighted!"
Randall let out a huge sigh of relief, as did Angela.
"Thank goodness! Randal's been so worried about Hershel and Emmy. We heard about what happened in that warehouse on the news! How is Emmy?"
Yeah, she's loads better. She's out of hospital and everything! Come in, the professor's probably dying to see you!" Luke led the way to the living room.
"Professor, Randall, Henry and Angela are here!"
"Ah!" the professor beamed. "How wonderful to see you all!"
"Hersh!" Randall exclaimed, pulling the professor into a one-armed hug. "How are you, old chum?"
"Doing pretty well," the professor replied, shaking Henry's hand and kissing Angela on the cheek.
"And how is Emmy?" Angela asked. "We saw what happened on the news! Where is she?"
"Ah, she's just upstairs with Flora, Brenda and Carla, her cousin."
"I'll get her," Luke volunteered. He ran out of the room and upstairs.
"Emmy?" he called.
"In here!" he heard Emmy calling him from the spare room.
He entered to see the four of them sitting on the bed, huddled together and deep in discussion. Luke turned to Emmy. "Randall, Henry and Angela are here. They heard about what happened on the news and they're really worried about you."
"I'd better go down and see them," Emmy said, getting up. She and Luke made their way downstairs.
Brenda smiled. "She definitely fancies Hershel."
Carla grinned back. "Oh, yeah."
"Hello Angela!" Emmy said, entering the living room after Luke.
"Emmy!" Angela cried, pulling her into a tight embrace. "Oh my God, are you alright? We heard you'd been in hospital—"
"Don't worry, Angela, it's not half as bad as the press made it out to be," Emmy said as Angela let go of her. She rubbed her side.
"What exactly happened?" Randall asked.
"Emmeline would rather not—"
"Oh, it's fine Uncle Leon," Emmy said brightly. "Erm... the man we're after sort of kidnapped me and had me locked up in that warehouse outside of town, but Carla – my cousin, Antonio – over there—"
"Hey," Antonio saluted them.
"— and Jai here—"
Jai nodded at them.
"— came to rescue me. Jai got me out, but we were attacked and I got hurt, so I was in hospital last night and most of today. But I'm much better now." She smiled.
"That's great," Randall said, looking relieved and putting an arm around Emmy's shoulders. "I'm so glad you're alright, Emmy."
"Yeah," Emmy beamed. "Me too."
"We should all go out for dinner tomorrow night and catch up," Angela suggested.
"Ah, well, I may be back rather late, I'm afraid. We are going on an expedition to search for an artefact we think is related to the Grounds of Rebirth and it could take some time to find it."
"Ah," Angela said.
"What sort of artefact?" Randall asked.
Angela glared at him. "What ever happened to "no more expeditions" and "no more putting yourself at risk"?"
"Ah," Randall said softly. "Well—"
"We are doing the background research that is necessary and then we're going home, and that's it!" Angela snapped.
"Alright!" Randall exclaimed. "I wasn't going to go, I was just asking!"
"I know you, Randall Ascot," Angela said firmly.
Randall sighed and gave in.
The professor smiled. "Anyway, we are not sure what this artefact looks like, we are merely going on Jai's intuition here."
"The sword points the way," Jai said.
"Huh?" Randall asked.
"If you hold the sword up to the sunlight, a ray of light emits from it, pointing you to the location of the nearest artefact," Layton explained.
"Really?" Randall asked, intrigued. "Let me see."
"I'm afraid no human is allowed to touch it," the professor explained.
"The temptation to unlock the Grounds of Rebirth may be too much," Jai explained.
"So why aren't you affected?" Angela asked."
"I am not technically human, am a spirit from the material-spirit world who has come in the shape of a human to prevent the use of the Grounds of Rebirth," she explained. "I have possessed this human body to fulfil my mission with Aurora, the emissary of the Azran, who came to help me get a hold of this sword."
Aurora stood up and held out her hand to Angela, who shook it. "It is a pleasure to meet you," she said.
"You too," Angela said, smiling.
Henry checked his watch. "We had better go, Master Randall, Miss Angela, we must find a hotel room before it gets too late," he said.
"Right. I'll probably see you tomorrow, Hersh. What time are you leaving?" Randall asked.
"Eight o'clock."
"Then I'll see you when you get back. Bye Hershel." He shook the professor's hand.
"Bye, Hershel," Angela smiled. "It was a pleasure meeting you all. Goodbye Emmy." They hugged again. The three left.
"Well," the professor said. "I had better prepare for tomorrow."
"Let me help you, Professor," Emmy said and they went up to Luke's room.
"Do you have any news with regard to the renaissance artefacts?" Vaughan asked.
"Yes," Desmond said. "Jai of birth and rebirth has a sword, which will point the way to the first artefact."
"Excellent, she has found it," Vaughan said.
"What do you want me to do about it?" Desmond asked.
"Let her think that she's ahead of the game. Let her get the artefacts. But when she least expects it, steal them from under her nose."
"How?" Desmond asked.
"Do not worry. You will not be alone in your post for much longer. You have an agent among you now, and I will be sending two more in due course."
"Who is among them now?"
"His name is..."