CHAPTER FOUR

Connie chewed thoughtfully on her toast, pouring over an old newspaper clipping. In the week since her flight with Skylark, it was all she had managed to glean about the excavation near the Devil's Tooth. Frustratingly, it didn't reveal much about the sword. Finding greater details was proving a pain; she was going to need Annena's information-gathering expertise. However, since it was the Christmas holidays, Annena was unavailable, stuck at home while she had family over. And no doubt she would ask a lot of questions as to Connie's sudden interest in the subject, which would be hard to deflect.

Connie sighed, and flicked her eyes to George, who was munching with glee on his mashed banana. Most of the fruit was missing its intended target and was flecked about his cheeks, though George seemed to enjoy the challenge of getting food into his mouth. Connie smiled wistfully, wishing she could be as carefree as her young cousin.

A jangle echoed from the front door, and George squealed. Connie looked over to the hallway, spotting Mack shrugging off his coat whilst trying to hang onto the post he had collected from Mrs. Clamworthy's house. The co-ordination was beyond him, and the envelopes tricked out of his hand and mixed with Five Shaker Row's own mail. Scowling, Mack bent over the floor, gathering up the mess, when he noted that the top letter was stamped with the Society seal.

"Looks like your results have come through," he announced. With the bundle of letters in his arms, he swaggered into the kitchen, before dropping one envelope at Connie. He shuffled through the rest, producing another brown packet, which he proceeded to lob at Col.

"Let's see how you've done," Evelyn said, wiping at George's soiled face with a tissue.

Connie peeled open the sealed document. Inside was a single letter, stamped with the official Society emblem, and a short paragraph of text.

"The Trustees are pleased with my progress, and have awarded a distinction for my ability to control my powers," she summarised.

"Excellent!" Mack boomed, giving Connie a hearty slap on the back. Connie coughed, biting her lip so she would not cry out in pain. "And what about you, Col? Keeping the Clamworthy name ahead of the game, right?"

"Passed," Col muttered. He pushed away his half-empty bowl of Shredded Wheat and slunk out of the room, leaving his letter on the table.

"Passed? Don't be so modest, boy," Mack said, grabbing the paper. "Top of the class, as usu…eh?" He paused, reading the document carefully.

"What is it?" Evelyn asked. When Mack remained silent, she snatched the letter from him. Connie peered over her shoulder to have a look, and then wished she hadn't.

The words may as well have been knives in Col's back. He had failed both written and practical components, however a special warrant from Captain Graves, reflecting on his performance over the year, had managed to prevent him from redoing the exams. A pass…but a sympathy pass.

"There must be some mistake," Mack said, flipping the letter over. "Some mix up of addresses or something."

"Mack, don't," Evelyn broke in, placing a hand on her husband's shoulder. "Col had a bad run that day, there's no need to kick up a fuss. He got through, that's enough."

They heard a scuffle from the hall, and then the door closing. Connie sighed, noting that Col's shoes were missing. Part of her had hoped that Col had been exaggerating about the level of his performance that day, but the letter's devastating truth fell on her like a tonne of bricks. And though he'd been spared resitting his exam, Connie knew that that was what would sting Col the most. For when it came to flying, it was all or nothing for him. To be labelled 'average' was worse than failure.

"Connie?"

Connie blinked. Evelyn waved the phone in her face, and she jerked her head back in reflex.

"What?!"

"It's Jessica, she wants a chat. As I've been saying for the past five minutes." Evelyn shook her head. "Dear me, you get a good result and you've turned into a daydreaming zombie."

"Oh, sorry."

Connie sat up and took the receiver, though she was not in any mood to talk.

"Hi Jess."

"Hey Connie, how did you do?" Jessica's voice bubbled over the line.

"I got what I needed to," Connie answered, twiddling her finger in the phone cord. "You?"

"Really well," Jessica said. "I heard Rat did pretty good, too. Seems the Chartmouth chapter outdid itself this year, everyone's had great marks. What about Col? Passed with flying colours, I'll bet!"

Connie bristled.

"He…he did fine," she managed to say, wary of her choice of words.

"That's no surprise," Jessica said, laughing. Connie's stomach sank to her feet. "Listen, I know it's been miserable weather lately, but I was going to suggest a little get-together on the beach to celebrate. I've talked to Rat, he seems up for it, and Arran might join us as well. Bring Col along, too."

Connie hesitated. While she knew it would do her good to take her mind off things, she was unsure what to do about Col. They were still not speaking to each other. A small part of her huffed. Why did she have to feel guilty for Col's feelings? Let him do what he wants, she thought. He's not my responsibility.

"That sounds like fun," she said at last. "I don't think we've got any bad weather forecast for today."

"Brilliant! I'll see you at the western cove for two o'clock," Jessica chimed.

"See you then."

Connie walked alone to the western cove, hunched in her jacket and scarf. Without the cover of the cliffs, it was freezing, and she was starting to doubt the weather forecaster's earlier predictions. The clouds were brooding, threatening to burst their rain-swollen bellies and add to the chilly afternoon. Shivering, Connie buried her nose in her scarf, peering through the gloom to seek out her friends.

At the edge of the cove, Rat and Jessica sheltered under a rocky outcrop. A campfire glowed between them, and they were roasting marshmallows on sticks. Connie's feet crunched on the shingle as she neared, alerting them to her presence.

"Connie!" Rat waved his stick, and his marshmallow went flying into the rocks. Mumbling, he groped inside the plastic bag at his heels, looking for a replacement snack.

"So we're all here," Jessica grinned, inviting Connie to perch beside her. Connie made to sit, when a cheerful bark echoed in her mind. She turned towards the sea.

"Hi Arran," she called out to the selkie, who was playing in the shallows.

At her greeting, Arran tumbled out of the waves, shifting to his human form, and then padded across the sand.

"Universal!" he beamed. Connie met his seal-like eyes, and shared his playful energy. "About time you showed up! Congratulations on your result." He plopped by Jessica's side, and curled against her.

"Thanks," Connie said. "And well done to you guys as well. You worked hard for it."

Rat nodded, stuffing his fourth marshmallow into his mouth.

"And Col got through, too! I knew he was just being too perfectionist about the whole deal," he said, jangling his stick in the air.

"Where'd he get to, anyway?" Jessica craned her neck towards the coast. Connie followed her gaze, and spotted a hazy silhouette on the horizon. Her heart skipped a beat. "Hey Col, Connie's here! Come and join us."

Col turned round and started to walk towards them. Connie swallowed, her hands clenching to fists. Nobody knew of their argument the previous week, nor the fact that they had not shared as much as two words in conversation. This was going to be mighty awkward.

Col slid his hands into his pockets, whistling as he approached the campfire. When his eyes met Connie's, he grinned. Connie knew it was not sincere.

"You took your time," Col said, sitting beside Rat and helping himself to a handful of marshmallows. "Did something come up?"

"Nothing important," Connie replied carefully, gauging his reaction.

"Not playing around with other mythical creatures again, are we?" Col went on, his jovial tone at odds with the darker glint in his eyes.

"Now why would I be doing that?" Connie asked, unafraid of his challenge. "I've got my hands full with Argand and Sentinel. I've no need to be interested in any more."

Her resolve deterred Col from saying anything more, and he stared into the fire. Rat and Jessica exchanged puzzled looks. Arran's nose twitched.

"Um, so…" Jessica began, trying to stir up some lighter conversation. "Got any plans for Christmas, Connie?"

"Nothing big," Connie said, keeping watch on Col from the corner of her eye. "My parents won't be able to make it for Christmas but they might come for New Year's. It'll probably be a quiet affair."

"In some ways I'd prefer that," Jessica sighed, warming her hands by the flames. "It's such a hassle when my family come down. Especially since none of them are companions. And Mum doesn't like me sneaking off to see Arran when they're around." She gripped Arran's hand, and Arran ran his thumb over her fingers.

"This is the best time of year for me," Rat broke in, discarding his stick. "Cold and wet. Icefen's favourite weather. He's staying on the moors. It's gonna be great."

"What, running about in the damp?" Col said, grinning. Rat punched him in the arm.

"And you're going to tell me that flying in the rain and fog is so much better?"

"Ouch, how you've sharpened your claws, Rat."

Connie listened to the boys' banter, and gave a slight shake of her head. This should have made her laugh, but there was so much emotion bubbling beneath Col's frail exterior, it would only take a comment out of place to unleash the torrent.

"Your caution bores me, Universal," a blunt voice yawned in her head.

Connie almost screamed, but managed to keep control. She wished Kullervo would give her some warning before he would just butt in like that.

"What do you want?" she asked.

"I only seek to give you some advice. Skirting around Col's inflammation will only make it more violent when it erupts. You would be better to brave the sparks before it fans itself into an inferno."

"You don't know what you're talking about, Kullervo," Connie's mental self hissed. "If you haven't got anything useful to say, then don't say anything."

"Ah, how I love your acid tongue," Kullervo chuckled. "Very well, if you will not listen to my wisdom, then at least heed my warning. He is coming."

"Who is?"

"You already know. And he will be here soon for your friend."

"Kullervo, what are you saying? Kullervo? Kullervo!"

Too late—he was gone. Connie frowned. Her irritation did not go unnoticed.

"You're a bit uptight, Connie," Rat commented, spreading himself out on the rocks. "Having boyfriend trouble?"

"Oh, what a joker you are, Rat!" Col laughed loudly, slapping his friend on the back. "You know how she worries about the stupidest things." He touched her arm, and Connie fought back her urge to recoil. "Lighten up, Connie, we're supposed to be celebrating. Have a marshmallow, chill out!"

"Right," Connie muttered, accepting the pro-offered snack and chewing on it slowly. But that was all she conceded. She could taste electricity in the air, which made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. However annoying Kullervo was, he was right. Something was coming.

The fire began to list as the wind suddenly changed direction. Along with it dense black clouds rolled in, lengthening the shadows. The scent of moisture thickened, and Arran tilted his head back, staring at the sky.

"I think a storm is coming," he said, sniffing the air. Connie cast her gaze upwards, watching the grey-black shroud creep in from the sea. The smell of rain followed, and before she knew it, splashes of coldness were falling onto her hands.

"Trust the weather to change on us like that," Jessica sighed, shoving the half-empty packet of marshmallows into her bag. "We'd better go before we get soaked."

The rainfall picked up fast. Connie got to her feet, rain lashing into her eyes. She helped Rat scatter the ashes of their sodden fire, as the heavens gave a deep rumble.

"That came out of no-where," Rat said, cowering under his coat as the pitter-patter of drops splattered onto him. "I thought it was cloudy, but not enough for rain this bad."

"Doesn't bother me," Arran smirked, and with a gleeful wave he retreated towards the sea. Connie watched as he seamlessly turned selkie, and slipped into the water to escape the storm.

"Col, come on!" Jessica called, noting that he was still sitting by the remains of the fire.

Col ignored her. Instead, he rose to his feet and faced the ocean. He raised his arms, as if reaching out for something.

"Col, don't be an idiot," Rat shouted, though his voice was drowned out by the next peal of thunder. "There are better things to do than try to act like a lightning rod!"

"Col!" Connie yelled, the raindrops plastering down her hair. The wind howled, throwing her words back to her face. "Why isn't he listening?"

"I told you. He is here." Kullervo's suave tones filled her thoughts. "And no matter how loud you cry, Col will never hear you. He is being called."

"Kullervo, what the hell is going on?!" Connie was trying hard not to give in to wild panic. Col was in danger.

"He goes to his true companion," Kullervo answered, with a hint of pride. "A pegasus that values his skills, and will put them to use."

"What are you…"

Connie could ask no more, as a terrible scream ran rampant through her mind. She clutched her ears.

"Universal! Help me!"

"Skylark!" Connie pushed aside her horror and searched out his presence.

He was not far, struggling to keep airborne as wind and rain ripped at him from every quarter. Connie ran into the maelstrom, not caring that she was getting soaked or that the tide was coming in. Rat and Jessica yelled at her to stop, but she dismissed their pleas, intent to seek the ailing pegasus.

"Universal, the pain, it is unbearable!"

"I'm coming Skylark, hold on!"

Connie raced along the beach, the waves at her ankles frothing and bubbling, mirroring the terror inside her heart. The water smacked against her, its chill penetrating her feeble layers, as she frantically scoured the coast for signs of Skylark. Where was he?!

"Universal, please!"

Connie honed in on her mental link, while her feet wove a path through the sand and shale. Her vision blurred by the rain, she could just make out the darker haze that was descending from the murky clouds. A flash of lightning revealed grey wings; Skylark.

"Help me!"

Connie skidded to a halt below the pegasus, as Skylark writhed in the rain. He staggered a landing, the sea swallowing up his legs, and threw his head back. His cry bellowed in Connie's mind, a thousand times louder than the thunder above, and she was forced to raise a shield, if only to stop herself going crazy with pain. If she could not think straight, they would both be done for.

"Skylark," she cried, "I'm here!"

Skylark managed to meet her gaze, before he collapsed. Distraught, Connie quickened her pace to reach him. In her haste she tripped, catching herself on her hands. The taste of the bitter sea swirled into her mouth, and she coughed as wave after wave battered her back, seeking to drag her to the depths. Memories of the white horses flooded her, and she heard their playful whinnying, begging her to set them free as they pounded again and again into the coast, into her…

Something grabbed her, and she was pulled to her feet. The tide continued to slap her face, and she gasped for breath, until a sharp tug beckoned her to use her legs.

"What's going on?" Rat yelled, draping Connie's arm over his shoulder. "What's happening to Skylark? Why isn't he going to Col?"

"Skylark!" Connie forgot her distress and frantically searched for the pegasus. Skylark lay unmoving as the waters of Hescombe clawed at his body, trying to snatch him into the ocean.

"Connie, we can't move him on our own!" Jessica cried. "We have to get help."

"I'm not going to leave him there!" Connie protested. "We've got…"

A rush of nausea came upon her, and she sank to her knees, clutching her chest. She vaguely heard Jessica ordering Rat to find some Society members, and sensed her friend's hand on her shoulder, but more prominent was the creature encroaching on the silver ocean in her mind. It felt wrong, disturbing, yet was tinged with a familiar scent of a mythical being she knew too well.

"So he appears at last!" Kullervo boomed. "To claim the prince he has sought for so long. The prince you have lost, Universal."

"No!"

Connie snapped free from the link, and before Jessica could react she was off and running back the way she had come, eyes intent on the boy that was embracing the roar of the sea. Up above, a black shadow descended, the spearhead of the storm. She was too late; she wouldn't get to Col in time.

"Col!" she screamed, her lungs burning. "Col, don't go near him! He's dangerous!"

Her cries fell on deaf ears. Col was laughing, unaffected by the rain that pelted his face and chest as he opened his arms to the black pegasus that was coming to land before him.

"Connie! Skylark's going to drown if we don't do something!" Jessica hollered, struggling against the tide to keep the pegasus' head above the water. Connie bit her lip. If she didn't stop Col, he would be consumed by darkness, and if she abandoned Skylark, the sea would snatch him forever.

Connie clenched her teeth, her choice made. She escaped to her mental island, and cast her eyes about the silver ocean. The black pegasus was there, glaring with blood-red eyes. The sickness in her belly doubled as she approached him, but her anger pushed the discomfort away.

"You!" she demanded. "What do you want?"

"My knight awaits his steed," came the whispered reply. As Connie came closer, her eyes widened. A pair of horns curled out from beneath the pegasus's ears. They were gnarled and bony, like a dragon's. "Long awaited daughter of Helena, you are bold to intrude on my encounter with my prince."

"Col is not your prince!" Connie hissed. "He'll never betray Skylark!"

"That is what you think," the black pegasus sneered. "Oh, how you will suffer for your ancestor's betrayal! She imprisoned me in that accursed blade, drained my strength…but no more. My prince has set me free. Now begone, fool, for none shall be privy to the bond between Stormbolt and his true companion!"

The world blurred back into focus, and Connie doubled over, her vision filled with sand. The nausea was too much, and moments later she vomited, a metallic taste in the back of her throat. Eyes watering, she fought to raise her head. The black Pegasus was here. He landed beside Col's outstretched arms.

"No…" she uttered, unable to believe the unfolding scene. Col walked up to the pegasus, touching its snout, and then buried himself in the creature's mane.

"Finally!" Col moaned. "My true companion has come for me."

"Col, no!" Connie shrieked. "You can't! You're Skylark's companion, you'd never—"

"Shut up!" Col snapped, raising his head to glare at her. "That worthless piece of horseflesh isn't worthy to even STAND in my presence. He's clumsy, weak, and stupid!" He paused to spit on the ground. "But Stormbolt is capable, powerful—the best match for my flying skills. He's the one I need, the one who'll give me the power I deserve." His eyes flashed. "Now get lost, Universal, and don't trouble me again!"

He mounted the dark pegasus, and together they fled into the heart of the storm. Connie tried to find the strength to stand, but her energy had left her. Tears stung her eyes. She was too late.

"Connie!" The familiar voice of Gard erupted, shaking her thoughts like an earthquake. "Connie, you must go to Skylark."

"But…But Col…"

"There is nothing we can do for him now," Gard said, his chipped features showing sadness. "But Skylark will not last much longer. You must go to him!"

The weight of Gard's words slowly sank through into Connie's mind, and she drew on his strength, hoisting herself to her feet. Raising an arm to shield herself from the worst of the rain, she staggered towards the edge of the bay, where Skylark lay. The tide was going out, which was just as well, for Jessica was too tired to keep his head in the air any longer. The pegasus remained motionless on the ground, safe from the relentless ocean, but his breathing was shallow.

"Skylark," Connie whispered. She dropped to her knees, and pressed her cheek into the creature's broad neck. "Skylark, come back to me!"

It was easy to sink into his thoughts, as he provided no resistance. When she found herself in the depths of his being, her eyes went wide. Around her, his memories were cracking, his entire essence fading into a black slate of nothingness.

"Col," whickered Skylark, his voice faint. "Col, where are you?"

"Skylark, Col's…Col's not here," Connie was weeping, and she hugged his neck tighter.

"He will come," Skylark breathed, though his form was becoming transparent. "He is my companion, he will come for me."

Connie cried, knowing what was going to happen. When Aunt Godiva had rejected her wood sprite, the creature had died from grief, pining for her companion whom it believed would always return. The same fate now awaited Skylark. It couldn't be…not like this!

"Connie." Another voice broke her thoughts. "Connie, you must form a true bone with Skylark."

"Gard?" Connie raised her head, her chin dripping moisture.

"If you do not, Skylark will die," Gard's stony grimness echoed through her head. "Form the bond."

"But if I do that," Connie said, "what will happen to Col?"

"It will be painful," Gard admitted, "but he will live. There will be time to sort out the consequences later. But Skylark, he needs you. Now. Form the bond, before it is too late and he fades away completely."

Connie clung to Skylark's mane, and stroked his head.

"Skylark, form a true bond with me," she whispered. Skylark let out a raspy breath.

"Col will come," he wheezed.

"He will, but not yet," Connie said. "Please, let's form the bond. Then we'll get him back, together. I promise."

"What…What about Argand? Sentinel?"

"They will understand," Connie said. "Skylark, you haven't much time. Please, I don't want to lose you."

"If…If that is what must be done, then…" Skylark's eyes closed. "I…I accept you, Connie Lionheart, as my true companion."