Crik (42 page)

Jack noticed the first finger of flame on the log. If they waited here any longer, the demon would set the entire clearing ablaze. Running sweat fell into his eyes. Pressing a knuckle against his right eye to stop the stinging, he heard a creak from behind. Spinning around, he saw the branches of a large oak move through the hedge where he had lain hidden. As he watched, the tree grew larger as it neared the clearing. The groan and creak of the oak enveloped the group. Leaves and smaller branches rained down on the floor as the tree lumbered forward.

‘Ajenda, stop making the tree walk,’ said Jankal.

‘Wouldn’t you want strangers to help Jess if they found her in the wood?’ said Ajenda.

Snaking roots, covered in mud and lodged stones, crashed through the hedge. Leaves continued to cascade down as the oak walked toward the water’s edge. Creaking, the tree came to a shuddering stop.

‘This will get you to the other side of the lake,’ said Ajenda. The tree standing to the side of her, gave an almighty groan as Ajenda made it topple forward.

The spray of water that shot into the air, as the tree hit the lake’s surface, swept over the clearing, dousing the fire that licked the floating wood and drenching the people on the shore. Ever widening circles spread across the flat surface of the Kratch.

Jack tried to keep the waves in sight, when the wood, that Ajenda held in the air, crashed to the ground about them.

‘You have your boat,’ said Jankal, pointing toward the tree bobbing in the water.

‘That’s not a boat,’ said Bill. ‘We won’t be able to paddle that, it’s too heavy.’

‘You won’t need a paddle,’ said Ajenda. ‘I will send the tree to the other side of the lake. All you have to do is sit and enjoy the ride.’

‘Bill, call Black,’ said Inara. ‘We have a wolf with us. Don’t worry Bill keeps him on a tight leash.’

On seeing the black wolf following the rent left by the tree, Jack felt braver than at any other time since entering the clearing. Black looked ferocious as his large muscles played under his fur. His gaping mouth displayed deadly teeth that extended from his blood red gums.

‘Keep the wolf away from my family,’ said Jankal, who had suddenly grown pale.

‘He won’t harm you,’ said Inara. Jack and Bill hoisted her onto Black.

Bill massaged his shoulder. ‘I’ve got him under control,’ he said. ‘He’s my friend.’

‘Friend or not, he has big teeth,’ said Jankal.

Jess waved at the wolf. Her dark eyes were clear as she watched Black carry Inara to the floating tree.

Setting his foot on the rough bark, Jack felt the sway of the lake move the tree. Lowering himself to his hands and knees, he crawled along the trunk, not trusting his balance on their makeshift boat. When he finally sat down, he held onto a branch that was as thick as Huckney’s thigh, and refused to leave go. Bill joined him, while Inara, on Black, brought up the rear. Camped amongst the branches they looked back at the travelling family with their painted wagon.

‘Make sure you don’t mention us to the witch,’ called Jankal.

Jack just wanted to be away from the little girl, before the demon inside of her decided to set their tree ablaze.

‘Thanks for you help.’ Inara waved as Ajenda, with a flick of her wrist, cast the tree out onto the lake.

Jack gasped as he saw Jess’s hair rise. Then he relaxed as the same breeze that had ruffled the little girl’s hair reached him. Sickened by the family’s compliance in harbouring a third demon had him turn his back on them. Across the lake towered expectant mountains.

Jack didn’t rela
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until the family, still standing on the shore, dropped out of sight. Even then, the water lapping against the tree kept him gripping the branch with his entire strength. The lake, though placid, continued to rock the oak. Bill stood astern, unconcerned with the hidden depths beneath them.

‘You wouldn’t be so scared if you learned to swim,’ said Bill.

‘In the Tristle?’ said Jack. ‘I’ve seen too many bodies drift down that river to want to join them.’

‘They were already dead,’ said Bill. ‘Like Mr Hasseltope.’

‘Not like Mr Hasseltope,’ said Jack. ‘Someone broke into his tomb and dumped him in the river, for the Elders to fish out.’

‘He was as dead as the others,’ replied Bill, snapping off a chunk of bark and throwing it into the lake. When the ripples died, Bill turned to the mountains. ‘Soon we’ll reach the Scorn Scar.’

‘I guess,’ replied Jack.

‘You didn’t tell us that Knell’s a witch,’ said Bill. ‘I don’t fancy meeting a witch.’

‘Jankal warned us that Knell consorts with demons,’ said Jack. ‘Demons like the one that followed us through the wood, and leapt into his daughter. The same demons that live in us. Knell’s knowledge about the demons has brought us to her.’

‘Grandfather distrusts witches and their spells.’

‘Like how my shadow moves around, and Inara raises the dead, or how you control Black. Spells are the Talents the demons give us so that we’ll close our eyes to them. We allow them to live inside us as long as we have something in return.’

‘They aren’t demons,’ said Inara. ‘The Narmacil help us.’

‘I can do without their help,’ said Jack. Hanging over the side of the tree Yang caught a fish. The silver body squirmed in the shadowed hands. Quickly Yang tossed the fish to the hungry wolf, who snapped the fish out of the air. Revolted, Jack ignored the slavering wolf. Death surrounded him. Could he have imagined the wooden doll’s terror, transposing his own horror at what transpired onto the carven features? Had Ajenda given the doll life, or only commanded it to move? If alive, Jess had murdered the dancer. Shuddering he remembered the doll leaping for the ash rising from her diminishing body. Such a heinous crime went unnoticed by his companions. Would Yang have to kill someone for them to recognise the danger the demons posed? Bill strode confidently along the tree. Bill’s attitude toward the demons had changed since seeing them beneath the waterfall. Jack didn’t know whether he could trust his friend to do the right thing once they met Knell. Nevertheless, for now, he was happy that Bill no longer saw the demons as harmless.

Again, the question arose in his mind: would someone who befriended the demons free him from his? Inara tried to talk him around; if she could, she wouldn’t give him the knowledge to destroy Yang, then why should Knell? Did the witch recognise the dangers the demons possessed? So many questions; he hoped he would find the answers at the Scorn Scar.

Sitting beside Jack, Inara scratched the cloth bandaging her legs. Noticing Jack’s attention increased her discomfort. Her slack mouth revealed a chipped tooth that Jack had never noticed. ‘All this talk of spells and Talents has me thinking.’

‘Of what?’

‘We each have something that is unique to us. Krimble had collected many Talents. I’m certain we didn’t see all of his powers. Bones already filled the casket outside his house when I arrived.’

‘What’re you trying to say?’

Inara’s hands continued to rub her ruined legs, massaging the rounded stumps. ‘With all these abilities, there must be someone out there,’ she lifted her eyes to the trees ringing the lake, ‘who can help me regain my legs. Maybe it’s a stupid dream.’

Jack recognised only the destructive nature of the demons. Yang collected dead things. Stuffed animals packed his bedroom. Jess’s demon demonstrated its power by burning the doll. Could Inara be right to hope that a demon might help her walk? He shifted his gaze to Crik Wood, where they had encountered mysteries beyond count, and yet imagining an egg hatching forth a creature that could help Inara was beyond him. ‘Since escaping Krimble’s house, you’ve managed well enough,’ he said.

Inara’s face clouded over. ‘What do you know about me managing anything? If not for Bill commanding Black to carry me night and day, I’d still be crawling through the marsh. You’re so afraid of falling into the water you won’t stand up. You clutch that branch as though it keeps you from falling into a deep chasm. I guess Black is my branch, without his help where would I be?’

‘I’m sorry, Inara. I only meant…’

‘I know what you meant. Look, you can keep thinking the Narmacil are evil, that they only have the power to hurt, and I’ll hold onto the hope that there’s one out there who can help me.’

Water splashed against the trunk punctuating the tense silence. Jack wanted to alleviate the tension, only he couldn’t think of anything to say. Inara still rubbed her legs. Looking at the bloodstains on the bandages made him want to comfort her, only, if he told her what she wanted to hear, he ‘d be lying. Knowing she would hear the lie, made him close his mouth. Bill stood at the far end of the tree throwing more pieces of bark into the water. When the intolerable silence stretched from seconds into minutes, Jack loosened his hold on the branch. Water lapped against the tree’s underbelly rocking them. Although he wanted to tighten his hold on the bough, one look at Inara’s blank face strengthened his resolve to get to his feet.

Stooped over he walked, ready to throw himself flat against the tree trunk. This way he inched toward Bill. The tree’s width could hold four people standing shoulder to shoulder, only this knowledge did nothing to calm his fraught nerves. By the time he reached Bill, sweat bathed his brow.

‘What was that all about?’ asked Bill, looking back to where Inara sat amongst the branches.

‘Nothing,’ said Jack. He sat down, eager to get off his feet.

‘If you say so,’ said Bill. ‘It’s good to see a lake without a film of rust. Blue water beats the multi-coloured water of the Rainbow Lake.’

Jack nodded. ‘I agree with you there. There’s nothing I miss from the Red Wood.’

‘There’s Huckney.’ Bill sat, and flicked dirt from a long root.

Jack remained silent.

Ajenda’s command kept the tree moving toward the mountains. Jack saw a splash of purple heather on the low-lying hills. Not far now. The shore was still out of Bill’s swimming distance, another hour on the log and they’ll all be ashore. Anxiety cramped his stomach. Resting his hand on his stomach, he wondered whether his demon felt nervous. Yang looked to hook another fish; he didn’t seem affected by the Scorn Scar’s proximity.

‘When we get back to the village, we can tell my grandfather our story,’ said Bill. ‘He won’t believe we entered the Red Wood.’

‘Or that a metal ape carried us over the Hedge Wall,’ replied Jack, offering a lopsided grin. ‘I don’t think we should tell him about the Ghost Walkers.’

‘My grandmother isn’t like them.’

‘I’m sure Justice and Kyla weren’t so bad when they lived. Their deaths made them bitter. Besides, your grandmother kept the fact that she’s a Ghost Walker a secret for a reason. I don’t think they’ll appreciate me knowing what she is.’

‘Yeah, they’ll kill you for breaking into our house in the middle of the night.’

‘Only to protect you.’

Bill held his hand up. ‘I know Yin, I was joking. Still, you know how harsh my grandmother’s tongue is. Best not mention it. The heather, is it the same as your vision?’

Heather clung to the side of the hills like lichen on wet stone. Fewer trees dotted the landscape closer to the mountains. The land, though not as dry as the one he had seen in his vision, was the same place the Lindre had transported Jack too. He confirmed this to Bill.

‘A bleak place,’ said Bill. ‘I wouldn’t choose to live here.’

‘Better than the marsh,’ said Jack. ‘Some people prefer to live by themselves.’

‘The Giant drew a road at the foot of the mountains. There wouldn’t be a road if there were no one to use it. Perhaps others share the Scorn Scar with Knell.’

Remembered cries from the cot still disturbed Jack’s sleep. Knell didn’t live alone, only he didn’t know what kept her company. A cowl hid Knell’s face, concealing her age. Was the crying infant her child? Discovering the second crater in the woods convinced him that the hole in her garden contained demon eggs. The Scorn Scar had many secrets to share. Looking again at the closing shore, he hoped the secrets he discovered amongst the rock and heather would help him, and not harm him, or his friends. The unease, settling into his stomach, no longer had anything to do with the boat ride. Under an hour and they would be ashore.