CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
I awoke to Colin's loud knocking on the door at 6am. I was feeling so warm and comfortable in this bed that I did not want to get up. But Colin insisted and kept nagging me until I was awake, changed and down in the kitchen where Owen was presiding over bowls of cereal and mugs of hot tea. It was pitch black outside and I felt the chill and heard the whistle of the wind when I stood close to the windows.
"Good morning, love," Owen greeted. He passed me a mug of tea, brushing his fingers against mine as he did so. I felt myself blushing like a schoolgirl. Colin gave us a disapproving look but said nothing.
It was a quiet kitchen through breakfast. Colin finished his extremely quickly and went outside to prepare the boat, causing a blast of frigid air to blow in when he opened to door. He said he would meet us at the place where we had tied up the boat. I shivered involuntarily at the cold and made a mental note to put on every piece of clothing I had with me, namely, one pair of jeans, my pyjama shorts and tshirt, my woollen turtleneck and coat. I doubted if it was enough.
Owen seemed to have been thinking the same thing for he asked me if I had warm enough attire, offering to lend me his own leather jacket.
"If I take your jacket, what will you do?" I asked.
"I'm immortal. The cold is nothing to me," he said.
"Must be nice, to not feel the cold." I grumbled.
"I do feel the cold," he corrected. "And it's very uncomfortable. It's just that if I catch pneumonia, I won't die of it. Unlike you."
"I will be fine," I assured him.
I regretted not taking up his offer once we got outside. The wind was still blowing and it was starting to snow. I had never been in such cold weather before and I shivered violently, unable to move from the shaking. Owen immediately came up and put his leather jacket on me, still warm from his body heat, and wrapped his arms around me, using his own body to try to block the wind. The walk to the boat seemed twice as long as yesterday.
The boat also looked twice as treacherous. Even Owen seemed apprehensive. "Are you sure this thing can sail?" he asked Colin.
"It will sail," Colin said firmly. "I will make it do so."
Something in his tone suggested that he was not talking about his expert seamanship. Owen helped me on board and held on to me. The boat was pitching like a wild horse. Falling into the loch right now would be deadly.
Colin stood at the back of the boat and stretched out his right hand. In a commanding voice, he intoned a sentence in a language I did not understand but gave me goosebumps that had nothing to do with the weather. His eyes flashed golden, flaring up for a second and piercing the darkness. When that happened, a kind of pale white mist surrounded the boat and we started moving smoothly across the water. This was the first time I had seen Colin do this kind of magic and, combined with the wildness of the environment at the moment, it frightened me. I looked up at Owen. He did not seem worried at all; probably he was used to Colin's power by now.
We reached the shore without incident and hurried into the trees. It was slightly warmer there as the trees blocked the worst of the wind. Colin had a torch and so led the way, using magic to break an easy path through. I followed in his wake, with Owen close behind me. I saw him hugging himself and rubbing his arms, and heard his teeth clattering, but when I tried to return him his leather jacket, he adamantly refused.
The churchyard was terrifying in the dark. Colin had swept the torch in that direction once. The strong beam of light had illuminated the gravestones for a second and set free all the ghosts and demons of my imagination. I kept my eyes resolutely fixed on Colin's back and did not look over at the churchyard again.
Colin's car was covered in a layer of snow. We dusted it off as best we could, leaving our hands cold, wet and numb. The car was cold when we climbed in. Colin turned on the heater and I insisted that Owen sit up front so he could warm up. His hands and face felt like icicles and he was clearly fighting hard (but failing) to stop himself from shivering. It grew warmer when the heater finally got started and the body heat from the three of us filled the car. The windows began to fog up a little. Colin got out to wipe them clear then started the engine and drove out to the main road.
It was a three-hour drive to Schiehallion. The road was empty but Colin had to drive slowly due to the snow and the weather. The countryside flashed by and the sky grew lighter as the sun slowly rose. I felt drowsy as I stared out the window. Eventually, I decided to give in to sleep, and stretched out across the backseat to doze.
I awoke to Owen shaking me by the shoulder. "We're here, love," he said. I felt stiff from the drive but got up quickly. We had parked on the side of the road, on the back of the mountain, the side where few tourists and day trippers came. The mountain was only about 1,000m high but from our angle at its foot, it looked impossibly large and forbidding. It was also covered in a blanket of white snow.
I was not sure if it was the after effects of Colin's magic but I felt a tingling in the air and a sense of anticipation. I could well believe that this place was sacred.
Colin turned to me and asked: "Is there any use at all in asking you to stay here and keep out of it?"
I glared at him. "I dare you to," I challenged.
He rolled his eyes but said nothing. He got out of the car and stood looking up at the mountain. Owen and I joined him seconds later. "He's here. I can sense him," Colin said.
"Are you jeopardising the mission by being here?" I joked.
Colin looked at me quizzically for a moment, then understood the reference. "Star Wars? Really, Danae?" he asked sarcastically.
"Just trying to lighten up the atmosphere," I retorted. "Owen, back me up."
"It is a bit funny," Owen agreed.
Colin snorted and led the way forward quickly and up the slope. We were about an hour away from the solstice and time was ticking. The air here was marginally warmer but it was still painful and burned our lungs as we struggled up the snowy slope.
At length, we came to a cave opening. Colin strode in unconcernedly. I was worried in case there were wild animals hibernating inside that we might be disturbing. It was cool and dry and very quiet inside.
"I never knew there were caves here," I said softly to Owen who had fallen in step beside me.
"They're called the hollow hills. There are a lot in Wales, though most of them have caved in and become blocked over the years," Owen said. "They're believed to be portals to other worlds, and shrines for gods. 'Magic is the door through which mortal man may sometimes step, to find the gates in the hollow hills, and find himself through into the halls of that other world,'" he quoted. I had a tingly feeling after he said that, like his words had stirred up something in the air and truly opened a portal to another world.
The cave grew narrower until it became a tunnel that twisted sharply at times but always sloped gently upwards. At length, we came to a crossroads. There were three separate openings before us. I knew exactly what was going to happen next.
"So, we split up from here?" I asked. I was not sure if I wanted to know the answer.
Colin handed me a torch. "Best way for us to flush him out. We've all got our mobile phones, right? We can keep in contact with those." He chose the leftmost tunnel and plunged into its depths.
"Do you think you'll be ok on your own?" Owen asked me. He looked worried.
I was afraid but I did not want him to see it. In any case, this was something that we needed to do. If Owen did not take his passage and came with me, and it turned out that his was the passage that led to Alex James, then it would be disastrous and I would never forgive myself for being the cause of the end of the world. "I'll be fine," I assured him. I said it a little louder than necessary, more for my own benefit than his.
He handed me a hunting knife and kissed me. "Be safe, love," he said. He pulled out a little penlight from his pocket, took the middle passage and vanished into the darkness.
"Well, just me now," I said to myself. Taking a deep breath, I took a step into the right-hand side passage. When nothing assaulted me, I took another step and then another. The going got easier and I became more used to the environment.
The torch was strong but it did not help much in brightening the gloomy darkness in the tunnel. My boots sounded all too loud against the rocky floor and I clutched the knife tightly, ready for anything.
The tunnel led to a chamber, then continued on to another tunnel and another chamber. I had an uneasy feeling. The path was far too straight. There were no more turns or openings or anything; it just went on in the series of tunnels and small chambers. Though I saw nothing out of the ordinary, I could not help but feel like I was being herded. I sensed that the path was being chosen for me. Sometimes, out of the corner of my eye, it would look as though an opening suddenly closed off, preventing me from going that way.
I took out my mobile phone, wanting to call Owen and hear his comforting voice, on the pretext of getting an update. But there was no signal. The phone was useless in here. Evidently, none of us had thought that being underground would affect the signal. When I realised this, I began to panic a little. I had not thought about how far underground I was but suddenly the only thing I could think about was that I really did not want to die alone and trapped underground.
I began to run, surrendering to whatever power was choosing the path for me. True enough, even though I ran fast and without looking to see where I was going, I did not trip or hit any walls. Eventually, fresh air and sunlight assaulted me and I emerged into a huge chamber. There was an opening high up in the rock wall that let in the air and light. The light shone down to a yew tree in the centre of the chamber.
The tree was ancient. Even I, who knew nothing about trees, could see that. It was not a tall tree but it was wide. It's branches spread out in all directions, almost forming a ceiling to the chamber. Its roots also crept through the floor of the chamber. Under the tree was a stone altar caved with druid runes and symbols. Upon the altar stood the Cup of Life.
I stood there, trying to catch my breath after my climb and this awesome sight.
"Beautiful, isn't it, my dear?" Alex James asked. He strolled out casually from behind the yew tree. I took a step back. "Don't worry. Your friends will be here soon and then the party will be complete."
He went to the altar and began arranging implements on it – a knife, a small branch of the tree, a lighted candle, a bowl of water and a handful of dirt.
From separate openings across the chamber, Colin and Owen emerged, wincing from the sudden brightness and looking confused and wary. Alex did not even react. He seemed to have been expecting all of us; he must have been the one guiding our way and picking our path through the mountain.
"Merlin, Gwaine," he greeted. "How nice of you to join us."
"Mordred," Colin greeted back grimly. "It's been a while."
"It certainly has," Alex said. "And this is where it all ends."
"Why are you doing this?" Colin asked. "Why destroy?"
"Need you ask why?" Alex said. "Because this world deserves it. It needs it. This is a degenerate age. We all know that. We have seen the deterioration of the human race. Pollution, economic crisis, extreme poverty existing alongside vulgar riches, hunger and gluttony, selfishness and holocaust. This world is on the brink of collapse already. What it needs is some controlled demolition and someone to steady the tiller after it happens."
"And you thought that person could be you?" Colin challenged. Next to him, I saw Owen gesturing to me, telling me to get back into the comparative safety of the tunnel. For once, I decided I should heed his advice and I slowly retreated so I was not in the open.
"Why not me?" Alex asked. "I can bring this world back to a simpler era. Magic can rise again and nature takes its course."
"You're wrong. Nature has taken its course," Colin said. He took several steps forward, clearly setting himself up as the challenger in this fight. "This is what happened. This is what was meant to happen. There's no going back. You cannot teach them by destroying. This is not the natural order."
"I can make it so!" Alex exclaimed. "I can change things back and take back what is mine and make it better." He looked at his wristwatch. "11.05am. Seven minutes to the solstice and the dawn of a new age."
He turned back to the altar, seized the knife and sliced open his palm with it. He held it out over the Cup, allowing the blood to drip in. He then spread out his arms, like how Colin had done as he prepared to incant a spell.
"I can't let you do this," Colin said.
Alex did not turn around. "And how is the great Merlin going to stop me?" he challenged. He muttered something and the branch, flame, water and dirt on the altar rose into the air, circling the Cup. I felt power fill the chamber.
What happened next could only be described as a wizards' duel, the likes of which are only seen in movies with lots of special effects. Colin intoned something, pushing his palm out towards Alex. The air around rippled and the branches of the yew tree swayed as though in a high wind. The floating materials were knocked out of the air and onto the floor.
Alex himself was not affected for he had turned impossibly quickly and thrust out his own palm, creating what looked like a shield. He and Colin began trading magical blows, but with neither gaining ground. Colin aimed a strike at the altar, which cracked on one side, causing chunks of stone to fly around the chamber.
Alex incanted a long spell and summoned a pillar of fire that spun like a whirlwind. The heat of it caused me to break into a sweat. Colin simply waved his hand and it dissipated before it could cause him any harm. He then retaliated with a lightning strike, which Alex deflected. The bolt hit the yew tree, causing its hoary trunk to burst into flames.
Meanwhile, I saw Owen creep out behind them. When Alex engaged in battle with Colin, he had left the cover of the altar and the tree and left the Cup of Life unattended. I could see him making his way to the Cup, dodging projectiles and weaving around so as to remain unnoticed.
He made it to the remains of the altar where the Cup was still perched. He reached out his hand to touch it but was suddenly hurled backwards where he crashed hard against the rock wall.
"Owen!" I exclaimed. I broke cover and ran to him. I knelt by his side and helped him sit up. He was conscious and mostly unhurt but was winded and shocked. I did not understand what had happened. Alex was still busy with Colin. He could not have dealt that blow.
"It's spelled," Owen gasped, coughing as he spoke. "An immortal can't touch it."
"How do you know that?" I asked.
"I sensed it when I approached the Cup," he said.
I stood and resolutely faced the Cup. "I'm not immortal. I can touch it," I said. "It needs to be emptied, right? So Alex can become mortal again?"
"Danae, don't," Owen said urgently, grabbing my ankle. "I might be wrong. It could kill you."
"Colin needs him to be mortal so he can be killed and stop him from destroying the world," I said. I felt like how Harry Potter must have felt when he faced Voldemort. I shook Owen off me and stepped forward. I had that same feeling as in the British Museum vaults – the Cup was calling me. I knew I could touch it without harm.
And touch it I did. I reached the altar unchallenged and wrapped my hand around the stem of the goblet. It was warm and tingled in my hand.
Alex seemed to realise when I touched it for he turned away from Colin, one hand pointed in my direction. Colin too had his eyes on me.
Time seemed to slow down in the next few seconds. Sunlight flooded in from the opening high in the wall and the beam bathed the Cup in light. It was 11.12am – the solstice. I firmly gripped the Cup. I saw Alex with his mouth open as though shouting something but I heard nothing. I tipped the Cup over and blood began to drip out and the spell broke.
Things went back to its normal speed following this. Colin shouted a spell aimed at Alex. Blue light emanated from his hands and hit Alex. He began to shake and, despite the blinding light that surrounded him, looked like he was ageing extremely fast – a thousand years crammed into those few seconds, and he crumbled into dust. When he did so, the whole place began shaking as though an earthquake had struck. Owen grabbed me by the waist and pulled me back, causing both of us to fall onto the floor. The spell Alex threw at me hit the wall behind us, cracking the rock wall and causing chunks the ceiling to start collapsing in a cloud of dust, wood and stone.
"We've got to get out of here!" Owen shouted over the noise of the falling rocks.
Colin hesitated, looking at the Cup. He seemed torn between getting to safety and saving this artefact that meant so much to him.
Unfortunately, I did not see what he chose. At that moment, more rocks fell and one hit me hard on the head and I fell unconscious.