Read Online Always Forever by Mark Chadbourn - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Mark Chadbourn
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The prow curled round into
a statue with an awesome visage made of what appeared to be thousands of tiny,
interlocking figures; the eyes glowed ruby red. There was something about the
design of the face that spoke to Church on a deep level; it was as if it were an
analogy for the ultimate secret made plain for all to see.
Ruth appeared at his side, eyes fixed on the approaching ship. Her arm
brushed his and goosebumps rushed across his skin.
"It's magnificent," she said in a hushed voice.
Church turned, expecting Callow to be galloping away now Ruth had abandoned his side, but he remained just as fixated, although the wonder in his face
was tempered by a steely streak of terror.
It took five minutes for the ship to reach them. Church attempted to scan
the deck on its approach, but whatever was there remained hidden; his eyes
couldn't focus on it at all and he was repeatedly forced to look away.
When it was only feet away, a jewelled anchor lowered into the water.
Church was beginning to feel a touch of apprehension.
Once the ship was secure, they waited and waited. Ten minutes passed
without a sign or sound. Before Church could decide on a course of action, there
was a shimmer of movement on the deck, like light striking a mirror. A second
later a booming voice rolled out over the water, the quality of it constantly
changing across a wide scale so it sounded like it was rising from the deepest
depths.
"Who calls?"
Electricity spiked Church's spine and he suddenly wished he were a thousand miles away.
Chapter Two
Beyond The Sea
the gangplank unfurled towards them as mysteriously as the ship had been
propelled through the water. It was made of brass, and though there was a
mechanical clattering, the motion was as smooth as if it were a carpet. Church
released his breath only when it clicked perfectly into place. Everywhere was
tranquil; waiting. It was still impossible to see what lay on deck.
When no one summoned them aboard, he put one tentative foot on the
gangplank, although it didn't feel strong enough to take his weight. He threw
out his arms to steady himself when it gave slightly, but it held firm. He glanced
back at the others. Callow was shying away in fear, but Ruth placed her hand
between his shoulder blades to propel him forward. He squealed and Church
had to grab hold of his collar to prevent him plummeting into the waves; from
his expression that would have been the better option.
Cautiously Church led the way. Beneath them, the water slopped against
the sea wall in a straightforward wave pattern, as though the ship wasn't even
there. Callow's whimpering grew more insistent the closer they got to the deck.
"Any last words?" Ruth said ironically.
"You wouldn't want to hear them." He took a deep breath and stepped on
to the deck.
The moment his foot landed on board, everything became instantly visible. He
caught his breath at the sight of numerous figures all around, watching him
silently. The taste of iron filings filled his mouth.
"Ho, Brother of Dragons!" The voice made him start, but he recognised its
rich, faintly mocking tones instantly.
"I didn't expect to find you here."
Cormorel was beaming in the same warm, welcoming way Church recalled
from their talk around the campfire in the north country, but the darkness
behind his expression was a little more obvious. In the sunlight his skin almost
gleamed; his hair flowed like molten metal. "Our brief discussion of the Western
Isles gave me a desire to see them again." Cormorel's smile grew tight as he
looked to the shore. "Besides, the Fixed Lands have lost much of their appeal."
Church felt irritated at Cormorel's easy dismissal of a place he had professed
to enjoy, but he knew by now the Tuatha De Danann cared for little. "You don't
have the appetite to face up to Balor," he said, pointedly.
Cormorel answered dismissively, "There will come a time, perhaps. But for
now the Night Walkers leave us
a statue with an awesome visage made of what appeared to be thousands of tiny,
interlocking figures; the eyes glowed ruby red. There was something about the
design of the face that spoke to Church on a deep level; it was as if it were an
analogy for the ultimate secret made plain for all to see.
Ruth appeared at his side, eyes fixed on the approaching ship. Her arm
brushed his and goosebumps rushed across his skin.
"It's magnificent," she said in a hushed voice.
Church turned, expecting Callow to be galloping away now Ruth had abandoned his side, but he remained just as fixated, although the wonder in his face
was tempered by a steely streak of terror.
It took five minutes for the ship to reach them. Church attempted to scan
the deck on its approach, but whatever was there remained hidden; his eyes
couldn't focus on it at all and he was repeatedly forced to look away.
When it was only feet away, a jewelled anchor lowered into the water.
Church was beginning to feel a touch of apprehension.
Once the ship was secure, they waited and waited. Ten minutes passed
without a sign or sound. Before Church could decide on a course of action, there
was a shimmer of movement on the deck, like light striking a mirror. A second
later a booming voice rolled out over the water, the quality of it constantly
changing across a wide scale so it sounded like it was rising from the deepest
depths.
"Who calls?"
Electricity spiked Church's spine and he suddenly wished he were a thousand miles away.
Chapter Two
Beyond The Sea
the gangplank unfurled towards them as mysteriously as the ship had been
propelled through the water. It was made of brass, and though there was a
mechanical clattering, the motion was as smooth as if it were a carpet. Church
released his breath only when it clicked perfectly into place. Everywhere was
tranquil; waiting. It was still impossible to see what lay on deck.
When no one summoned them aboard, he put one tentative foot on the
gangplank, although it didn't feel strong enough to take his weight. He threw
out his arms to steady himself when it gave slightly, but it held firm. He glanced
back at the others. Callow was shying away in fear, but Ruth placed her hand
between his shoulder blades to propel him forward. He squealed and Church
had to grab hold of his collar to prevent him plummeting into the waves; from
his expression that would have been the better option.
Cautiously Church led the way. Beneath them, the water slopped against
the sea wall in a straightforward wave pattern, as though the ship wasn't even
there. Callow's whimpering grew more insistent the closer they got to the deck.
"Any last words?" Ruth said ironically.
"You wouldn't want to hear them." He took a deep breath and stepped on
to the deck.
The moment his foot landed on board, everything became instantly visible. He
caught his breath at the sight of numerous figures all around, watching him
silently. The taste of iron filings filled his mouth.
"Ho, Brother of Dragons!" The voice made him start, but he recognised its
rich, faintly mocking tones instantly.
"I didn't expect to find you here."
Cormorel was beaming in the same warm, welcoming way Church recalled
from their talk around the campfire in the north country, but the darkness
behind his expression was a little more obvious. In the sunlight his skin almost
gleamed; his hair flowed like molten metal. "Our brief discussion of the Western
Isles gave me a desire to see them again." Cormorel's smile grew tight as he
looked to the shore. "Besides, the Fixed Lands have lost much of their appeal."
Church felt irritated at Cormorel's easy dismissal of a place he had professed
to enjoy, but he knew by now the Tuatha De Danann cared for little. "You don't
have the appetite to face up to Balor," he said, pointedly.
Cormorel answered dismissively, "There will come a time, perhaps. But for
now the Night Walkers leave us
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