Charlotte Stone and the Children of the Nymet (16 page)

‘I'm downloading as much as I can onto the section of the web that is still undamaged,' Davlin replied, tapping away at a nearby terminal, ‘but without somewhere to send it, the information is highly vulnerable.'

‘You're telling me there is not a single living tree in the Sylurian forest?'

‘There's no trace of a bluprint for the Nymet oak.' Davlin looked apologetic. ‘I've searched through every note of the subsonic code across the whole Triverse. Fargale is not a copy.'

An alarm sounded, diverting their attention from the matter in hand and Davlin sprang into action.

‘This is not a drill people, we have an unauthorised breach.' He broadcasted a warning on the tannoy before leading Malik and Luned into the Tap Room.

Davlin worked with dexterity and Luned was surprised at such speed in a dwarf. He had soon located the problem.

‘Someone is weaving!'

‘In Albion?' Malik gasped.

‘But that hasn't been possible for nearly a millennia,' Luned added.

‘Don't believe it; where do you think the humans got their little legend of the “Evergreen Oak”? That was someone messing where they shouldn't have been messing.' Davlin didn't look up; he was still madly tapping away on a nearby terminal.

‘Boris?!' Malik gasped.

Davlin shook his head. ‘It's the girl.'

‘What!' Malik's face was now purple and his hands in fists. ‘Luned, sort out that
dilino
human child once and for all – ASAP!' he roared.

‘On it, Sir.'

Luned stepped into the sap flow for a quick getaway.

*

Charlotte woke early, surprisingly refreshed. Tar'sel had said that could happen. Connecting with the Nymet song was connecting to the song of creation, or something like that. Charlotte, however, put it down to the hot chocolate.

‘No time like the present,' she yawned at Cicero as they both stretched out the kinks of a night's sleep.

The sun was just breaching the horizon as Charlotte entered the garden. The air was fresh and salty from the sea, while the dew looked like a handful of jewels scattered over the lawn and vegetable patch. Charlotte stretched as she looked around for a victim. Clarissa would not be happy if she messed with the produce, it was her livelihood.

Walking down the side of the building, she found herself outside the impressive main door. The natural spring bubbled up from the bottom of the little pool and Charlotte wondered if she might see her parents if she stared into it for long enough. All she saw, however, was a reflection of the recently pruned winter jasmine that climbed the wall by the stained glass window.

Perfect.

Chanting a neutral tone as Tar'sel had taught her, she listened for the jasmine's song. She was surprised and thrilled when she heard a high tinkling melody. She was really getting the hang of this.

Charlotte eagerly started weaving in the tones she heard Tar'sel make, the sounds of the rose song. One by one, tiny rosebuds appeared on the stems of the jasmine. She remembered Tar'sel's advice not to stop till the process was complete, so she kept singing till the roses bloomed.

The song of the rose and jasmine tumbled over and over each other and became so quick she didn't know where one started and the other ended so she continued to sing; she didn't know when to stop. As she sang, the jasmine grew to accommodate more roses and before she knew it, the whole side of the house was covered, the main door buried under the mass of rose-covered jasmine. It wasn't till she felt Clarissa's voice joining the song that she dared stop.

Clarissa quickly and skilfully brought the song to an end and the jasmine rose stopped growing.

‘Nice try for a first attempt, but next time, could you stick to house plants, it'll give the neighbours less to talk about,' Aunt Clarissa said, making for the back door.

‘DARRRLINGS!'

There was no mistaking Jude's voice and even Aunt Clarissa visibly shuddered.

‘Oh! Well, I say. What on earth has happened here, Clarissa?' Aunt Jude eyed the new greenery with wide-eyed wonder. ‘It looks like someone has set off a miracle-gro bomb on your front doorstep.'

Mrs Bunratty's begonias twitched as Aunt Jude continued to extol the ‘wonders of nature' and declared how they were ‘truly blessed by the fairy folk'.

‘Blessed by fairy folk, my fanny-adams,' Clarissa hissed sternly at Charlotte while trying, but failing, to maintain her steely glare.

‘Tea anyone?' Clarissa finally said to distract Jude from her monologue. ‘We'll just have to use the backdoor for the time being.'

‘Why don't you just trim it?' Charlotte asked.

‘This is your doing. Why should I punish the jasmine?'

Charlotte couldn't help grinning; it was a typical Aunt Clarissa response.

*

Tea in their house meant peppermint, sage, jasmine and the like made from the carefully dried leaves and flowers from Aunt Clarissa's garden, but Charlotte had her usual hot chocolate. It went perfectly with yet another continental breakfast courtesy of Jude.

As they tucked into a breakfast of jam and pastries, a loud pop filled the kitchen and an angry Luned appeared on the kitchen table.

Jude squealed with excitement and Luned looked at her as if she thought the woman must be ill – the suggestion in her expression was that she thought it might be a mental problem.

‘A fairy, an actual real-life fairy,' Jude cooed, in awe.

‘Madam, I am an Undine; quite different,' Luned barked, her pointy ears twitching in indignation.

The Undine turned and strode purposefully across the kitchen table, her sea-green robes floating around her, before lifting a slender finger at Charlotte.

‘Are you Charlotte Seshat Stone?' she demanded.

It was a procedural requirement in accordance with the P.O.D charter. Having the offender state their name of their own freewill added power to the binding spell that would be cast later on.

‘Er, you know I am – we've already met, remember?' Charlotte replied, ignorant of the charter requirements.

Luned rolled her eyes and sighed; it was always such hard work dealing with humans.

‘Who are you?' Clarissa asked calmly.

‘I am Luned, Charlotte's fairylore caseworker and under the authority of sub-section 492 of the P.O.D charter, I hereby summons her to appear before the Seelie and Unseelie Courts for the unauthorised use by an Albion human of Sonic Adjustment Therapy.'

‘Sonic what? Do you mean weaving?' Charlotte asked.

‘Well, yes… in very basic layman's terms.' Luned was not used to being questioned by an offender.

‘Oooh, sounds fabulous. Where can one experience Sonic Adjustment Therapy, is there a training course I could apply for? How long does it…' Jude fell into silence at not just Luned's glare but Clarissa's.

‘If we might focus for a moment,' Clarissa addressed the Undine. ‘If you are Charlotte's caseworker that means you've had her under surveillance for some time?' She was eager to get to the bottom of this intrusion into her home.

‘We have.'

‘The reason for this, please.'

‘She came to our attention almost the moment she arrived in Brackenheath and has exhibited behaviour that we have found not only disturbing but threatening. Just yesterday, she tried to modify Fargale – the tree also known as the Evergreen Oak or the Nymet.' Luned handed Clarissa a thick file.

It was hard to know what Clarissa was thinking as she read the file but when she had finished, she fixed Charlotte with one of her trademark stares.

‘There is nothing I can do for you, Charlotte, you've broken Fey law. You're going to have to attend. The court date is tomorrow.'

Sang sprang bolt upright, her breathing heavy and sweat dripping down her face. The wind was high outside and rain fell hard against her window. Hunkering down under her bedclothes, she squirmed to get comfortable. She figured the rain must have woken her and everything seemed normal and ordinary but she couldn't shake the feeling of foreboding.

The darkness pouring into her had seemed so real as had the scream from the red-haired girl that looked so much like Charlotte. Even now, wide-awake in the familiar surrounds of her room, Sang could still hear the word repeating in her head.
Echo, echo, echo…

The dream was rapidly evaporating so Sang hopped out of bed and quickly made notes before it disappeared. She had no idea what it meant but she knew she had to find Charlotte.

*

‘A hearty breakfast, very good.' Jude nodded to Charlotte with approval over the kitchen table. ‘You need to be able to concentrate and focus today. Fairies can be rather tricksy and will try to catch you out. It's revealed in all the classic fairytales.'

‘Actually, the court will be very fair.' Clarissa poured them both a steaming cup of coffee. ‘But the best thing you can do is just stay quiet and… well, not antagonise them.'

Charlotte knew it wasn't worth protesting; Clarissa had got to know her pretty well, so she just smiled mischievously.

Luned soon appeared on the kitchen table in the same official-looking robes she had worn the previous day.

‘Are we ready?' she asked.

The usual underground courtroom was far too small to accommodate Charlotte so the hearing was to take place under the boughs of the large weeping willow on the riverbank, Luned explained as she led Charlotte inside. The inner leaves had been curled upwards and sewn together with gossamer to create temporary bowers which hung the full circle of the willow canopy from top to bottom.

Charlotte started to feel nervous as she realised the bowers were already occupied by the scores of Fey that made up the Seelie and Unseelie Courts.

One half of the canopy was awash with the blinding light of the ‘Shining Ones' of the Seelie Court. Only when they moved could Charlotte see the features of these perfect creatures as they glided about in an orderly fashion, occasionally turning to look at her and whisper behind their hands. ‘The True Fey,' Luned had whispered discretely and Charlotte agreed they certainly looked like the traditional fairies that filled the fairytales Jude had mentioned.

On the other side sat the unruly members of the Unseelie Court who laughed raucously and threw bits of food at the Seelie members while chanting obscenities at them. Their ranks were made up of sinister gargoyles, deformed goblins with gaping mouths and boggled eyes and strange women with purple hair, twigs growing from their limbs and forked tongues that tasted the air around Charlotte. Despite their gruesome appearances and behaviour, Charlotte suspected she would get a much more favourable ear from this group of chaotic Fey.

They were not the ones passing judgment, however. Charlotte was acutely aware of the shrouded elfin warriors, bows at the ready, who stood stock still in a semicircle between her and the courts. A dozen pairs of hidden eyes looked at her from underneath their hoods, like wolves eyeing up an injured lamb. Luned had explained this was the Elfin Jury and it was they that would ultimately decide her fate.

A cough from the court clerk brought her back to the purpose of the gathering.

‘All stand for Judge Dijin,' he squeaked.

On this announcement, a stern-looking Fey marched sombrely into the courtroom, reminding Charlotte a little of Mr Ransell. She had to stifle a giggle as Judge Dijin sat at his podium with a flourish of his fiery robes.

‘Lords and Ladies of the Seelie Courts and Elfin Jury,' the clerk began, reading from a large scroll. ‘The accused stands trial today for the misuse of weaving, which is banned from use in this Verse.'

A ripple of disapproval went round the Seelie half of the court and they all looked very serious. The Elfin Jury, however, didn't move – and the Unseelie Court were too busy comparing navel fluff to even notice the clerk had spoken.

A fairy in chains was led in front of the gathered Fey. Charlotte recognised Boris in a flash. He stood shaking with fear as Dijin, without giving him so much as a glance, waved a hand at the clerk and pondered some paperwork handed to him.

‘Intelligence has come to light that it was you, Boris, who brought Miss Stone to our home and assisted her in entering our realm.' Dijin spoke for the first time, his booming voice filling the courtroom.

‘Noo, noo, I's not be doing that, she already had the sight.'

‘I can vouch for the last,' Luned interjected.

Dijin turned to the Undine in surprise. ‘Your evidence.'

Luned shot a glance to her boss, Malik. He was tight-lipped and grey but nodded curtly.

‘I was on surveillance at the house on the cliff and Miss Stone saw me amongst the raspberries… though she had no idea what she was seeing at the time,' Luned added on seeing Dijin's look of thunder.

It looked as if Dijin was going to say something, then thought better of it, before turning back to Boris.

‘No matter, it does not negate the fact that it was you who led her to us. However, while it has a baring on today, your guilt will need to be determined in a separate trial.'

‘I's not guilty, not guiltys. I's only acting on the orders of the Dark Lady.'

‘Why would The Morrigan wish to rain down such destruction on us? We have no quarrel with her,' Dijin scoffed, dismissing Boris' claim. ‘Miss Stone, however, has proven to bring nothing but chaos in her wake. If I didn't know better, I would say she has Veshengo blood.'

‘I object!' Charlotte shouted. Dijin and the courts were so shocked they just stared open-mouthed and Charlotte took her chance.

‘Aside from the fact that I am clearly
not
a “man of the woods”, and ignoring for a moment your discriminatory comments, Boris is telling the truth. The Morrigan has ordered me to save the Brackenheath Oak and I bear the Mother's Kiss.' Charlotte exposed her arm and the burn marks glowed in the gloom.

The courtroom exploded at her final comment and Dijin simply stared at her with a face of fury. Without turning away he said something to the court clerk.

‘The defendant's last comments will be struck from the records,' the clerk squeaked. Clearly satisfied, Dijin turned back to a still-quaking Boris.

‘You should be aware that the consequences are severe, Boris. If you are found guilty your root will be severed – and you are already in enough trouble as it is.'

Boris paled at those last words. Charlotte didn't know what it meant but it was clearly very bad indeed.

‘Take him down,' barked Dijin at the guards. ‘You will be held pending your trial date; the air dungeon would be most appropriate I think.'

The poor Veshengo seemed to shrink into himself and whimpered softly as the Elfin Jury raised their bows and fired. The arrows twisted through the air, spinning it into silvery rope. As they landed, the ropes wound around Boris, burning his skin as they tightened, and he was led from the willow room.

Dijin, no longer distracted, turned his full attention towards Charlotte. Bathed in the full force of his fiery presence, she suddenly realised why he commanded such fearful respect from his peers.

‘Now, Miss Stone, what are we going to do with you?'

*

Sang had been looking for Charlotte for over an hour. She had expected to find her in the park with the oak but there had been no sign of her. If Sang hadn't bumped into Lloyd and therefore been by the large weeping willow at the exact same time the guards were leading Boris away, she would still be searching.

It was the rustling of the leaves that had caught Sang's attention and the odd heat haze that floated across the meadow before sinking into the river. She could have sworn she could hear whimpering too. Was it possible Charlotte was hiding out and crying over her lost family? Sang didn't like to interrupt such a personal moment but she had the feeling it really couldn't wait.

It was somewhat awkward trying to get under the willow's veil of leaves. The tree curved round from the bank at an angle overhanging the water and a narrow peninsula of earth. If anyone was sat in the curve of the trunk no one would know they were there – it was what Lloyd called a ‘betwixt and between place'.

After assessing the peninsula, Sang decided it was strong enough to take her weight. Taking aim, she jumped, landing light as a cat and sweeping aside the willow branches as she leant forward to avoid falling into the water. What followed was pandemonium.

‘
Dook Kascht!'
screeched the court clerk as members of the Seelie Court were sent reeling in all directions. The Elfin Jury swiftly loosened a dozen silver arrows in Sang's direction. The arrows arched through the air before merging into one ball of green light.

Charlotte had pre-empted the elfin guard and rushed to the defence of her friend.

Pulling back a branch, Charlotte waited till the green light was on the descent before letting go. The branch collided with the green fireball sending it flying into the line of the Elfin Jury and sending them scattering like bowling pins.

Strike!
Charlotte signed at Sang, as they stood together, ready for the backlash.

Several of the Elfin Jury were now on the ground, choking and spluttering as their skin cracked and turned brown – like the bark of a tree, the purpose of the green light disturbingly clear.

‘Watch out!' Charlotte shouted a warning but the remaining guards had regained their composure and despite Sang's best efforts to duck, a fresh bout of green flame made contact with the tip of one of her plaits. Charlotte watched with alarm as it solidified into wood and crept closer to Sang's head.

‘Do something!' Charlotte cried urgently to Luned.

‘I can't undo this, it's earth magic,' the Undine replied in horror, ‘and it won't end well for your friend.'

Sang's face twisted in pain as the earth magic touched her scalp.

‘Atch Draba.'
Dijin released a bolt of fire magic.

‘Ha ha, stickface human. What a hoot!' roared a hobgoblin, delighted at the impromptu entertainments as the Elfin Jury tried to return order to the proceedings. The Seelie Court were trying to regain their dignity while various members of the Unseelies were dancing like devils and acting out the moment the Seelies had been sent flying across the hall by Sang's grand entrance.

‘Let's all calm down, shall we.' Everyone fell silent at Dijin's voice. ‘We don't want to shatter the human's notion of fluffy cute fairies by turning petrified children into petrified trees… though it might be a fitting punishment for you, Miss Stone. We might need a new home after all this.'

‘I don't think her aunt would allow that, Dijin,' the court clerk squeaked.

‘No human is going to dictate fairy law to me,' Dijin spat.

‘Remember who you are talking about,' King Rosebay-Willowherb, leader of the Seelie Court cautioned him.

‘She made her choice, Sire.'

Charlotte was desperate to ask what they were talking about but she didn't want to remind them she was there and she was busy seeing to Sang who was lying on the ground in shock. Luckily the pain seemed to have stopped and the magic wasn't spreading anymore.

‘Don't worry, Miss, there's not much damage done,' a frog-legged sprite cooed reassuringly, ‘though nothing will grow back again from that area of her scalp,' she added, snapping off the matted hair twig. ‘Nothing else to be done.' She waved it apologetically at Sang.

‘Explain the meaning of this defilement of our sacred court.' The king was apoplectic with rage as he adjusted his wig and robes. A wave of sniggering broke out among the Unseelies.

‘Order, order,' squeaked the court clerk. The Seelie Court had finally found their seats and, adjusting their finery, glared at Sang.

‘How do they get anything done with this lot?' Charlotte whispered to Luned.

‘Oh, they're not so bad, even come in useful at times. Besides, it's tradition.'

Sang was now on her feet and signing forcefully, trying to get the courts' attention but they were too busy bickering and shouting among themselves to pay her any heed and she gave up in frustration.

‘You need to listen, she's trying to tell you something important,' Charlotte barked at the courts, no longer interested in entertaining their silly traditions.

The flash of fire in Dijin's eyes was the only thing that stopped her from saying more but the courts fell silent at her outburst.

‘I can translate if needed,' Charlotte added more politely.

‘With respect, human child, I hardly think the accused is the right person to be translating,' King Rosebay-Willowherb added with a calm in his voice not reflected in his appearance. ‘You could tell us anything you like.'

Charlotte couldn't argue with that. The frog-legged lady raised her hand and the king nodded for her to speak.

‘If the courts permit, I have some experience with this strange human language. I offer my services if His Majesty allows?' The king of the Seelie Court nodded again and the frog-legged lady turned to Sang.

‘Are you willing to speak to me, human child?'

Sang nodded.

‘If it helps, look only at me and pretend there is no one else about. Now, what was it that was important enough to gatecrash these proceedings?'

Sang signed frantically and the frog-legged lady had to stop and calm her down on several occasions. Once she had finished, the frog-legged lady turned to the courts pale-faced.

‘The human child has had a vision that appears to foretell disaster for us all… but especially you,' she nodded at Charlotte. ‘If the courts insist on opposing The Morrigan and defying the Mother's wishes by imprisoning this one, it could spell the end for us all.'