Chapter 14
They sat on the hardwood floor around central hearth. Along the wall, rows upon rows of moonstones dangles from red ribbons attached to rods. Some of the stones were covered in dust whereas other were still shining brightly. Jack had expected the building to be richly furnished but there was nothing aside from the hearth and a raised wooden platform. The ceiling was high, or at least he could only guess it was from what he'd seen from the outside as smoked billowed and swirled overhead. The master was sitting across from Jack and John. He didn't say a word but scanned them with his grey eyes. The silence was heavy with the howling wind and the crackling of the fire. It was unnerving. Jack was about to break the silence but the Elder beat him to it.
"John. Your friend looks like he's gone through a lot, I agree. But is he worthy?"
John simply nodded.
"Worthy of what?" asked Jack. The man ignored him.
"Despite the torment, he is a good man. I have doubts that he will agree."
Jack stood up.
"Could we please stop talking as if I'm not here? What am I supposed to agree to? What am I worthy of?"
He could fill the blood rush to his face. What the hell had John dragged him into? He turned to his companion.
"And you, what is going on with you? When did you turn into a goddamn doormat? What happened to you and what does all of this have to do with Ianto?"
His breathing grew shallow. The room seemed to melt around him. The man finally addressed him.
"Please sit down, Jack. The oxygen is rarer here." Jack did as he was told.
"Now I will excuse your outburst but we have our ways here and you shall follow them. Everything will be explained to you in due course. Please do not rush us."
Jack looked at John. A small glimmer of the man's old impatience showed in his eyes. This reassured Jack.
"Fine. Please accept my apology."
The man turned to John again.
"Are you certain. Once the catalyst is brought in there will be no turning back."
"I am certain."
The man glance at Jack, shook his head slightly then reached for two small cylindrical pieces of wood. He struck one with the other. As soon as the sharp sound died out, a young man with prominent Asian features stepped into the room from a door Jack had failed to see. He wore an all black outfit. The boy walked up to the old man, bowed to him and sat down. He kept his gaze down.
"Jack, this is your catalyst."
He frowned.
"I don't understand."
The Elder glanced at John than back at him.
"I see. So John hasn't explained what this is about. You have in your possession a moonstone. This moonstone was in the possession of someone dear to you who died. Because it hasn't been properly enshrined, the moonstone has been able to access your heart and read your memories of this person and many other emotions and feelings. As a result, you and John have sen projections of your mind through this person. By now, the apparition must have started to fade, correct?"
Jack nodded.
"If not enshrined, the memories and the power of the stone slowly seep out until they completely disappear. Now the dead often have valuable wisdom. As you can see here, we like to keep our elders close to consult them when needed."
Jack looked at the stones once more, realizing that he was sitting in a hall of the dead.
"Understand that we do not reach out to them often, as the price we pay is heavy. It is my understanding that you wish to reach that friend of yours."
"I do, but what is the price?"
The old man looked at John. He followed his gaze. His companion was shaking despite the comfortable warmth of the room. The Elder stared Jack straight in the eyes.
"Your catalyst's life."
Jack was on his feet in a heart beat. He grabbed John by the front of his tunic, yanked him to his feet to finally back him against the wall, making the moonstone rattle like a wind chime in a storm.
"What the fuck were you thinking? Is that the kind of man you think I am. You think I will take the life of an innocent boy to see Ianto?"
John muttered something. Jack shook him up.
"Repeat that?"
Suddenly, the old John was back, fully alive and kicking. He pushed Jack away with surprising strength.
"I saw a fuck up. I figured a way to end your pity party."
His words were full of spite. Jack was about to jump on John but suddenly, the young man stood between the two of them. He turned to John and smiled at him.
"Remember." He simply said.
John bit his lower lip, took a deep breath and bowed at the master.
"Please excuse me." He walked out through the main door.
The room was engulfed with light and wind for a moment then grew quiet again. The boy took Jack's hand.
"Elder, may I show him?"
The older man pondered for a moment.
"Yes, I think you should."