The Adventures of Maisie and Benji

Story Four

The Secrets of Finchale Priory

Fairies. Small people who wear clothing of green, or flowers for dresses and such. Slender glittering wings, and magic dust they have in little pouches made of leaves, all sewn together from spider webs. At least, that is how Maisie thought they were from the descriptions in her books. But they're quite different to look upon, as Maisie found out.

Standing in the long shadow of the Priory ruins, Maisie looked upon the weather worn stonework, and imagined how it would have looked many years before it's ruin. The arched windows, missing their glory of stained glass depictions yawned in the morning light. Tired of it's long years within the deep cut vale, it stood upon the shallow meander of the River Wear. All along the Eastern side high grey walls of stone stood, behind trees of untold age. While to the West the vale sloped upwards in steep swoops of undulated land, and the river wandered into the shallower, wider vale beyond her sight.

As she walked around the grounds, and looked at the open space where many had gathered for prayer, wide slabs lay embedded within the ground. Grass was now the carpet of the Priory, and little else there was, save for a few up-thrust segments of jagged, broken walls of varying height. Maisie's eyes turned to one such stone slab, smaller than the rest, but no less weathered. Upon it, barely readable words were carved. She knelt before it and tried to read what it was. It was of no use, only a few letters could be guessed at, if they were letters at all. More like symbols they seemed, and strange they were indeed. Benji had accompanied her while she walked in silence, she felt a peacefulness within that place, yet her pocket glowed green from within.

Benji looked around, and quietly spoke "Your pocket is glowing again." and he nudged her gently. "It's the Brooch!"

Maisie reached into her pocket, and pulled out the brooch. It did not glow as it often did, instead it flickered. Not fully, but only one of the jewels around the inner stone. "This is odd, it's never done this before." Maisie said.

"What's happening?" Benji asked as he looked upon her puzzled face.

"I'm not sure." Maisie replied. But as she turned around the jewel faded and the next lit up, and the next in turn. "Very odd indeed, look!"

She knelt once more and turned the brooch, and the jewels glowed in turn as she rotated it in her hands. "What do you make of it, Benji?" She questioned.

"A compass? Could it be acting like a compass?" Benji said in a quizzical manor.

"It could be, I'm not sure. There's only one way to find out. Come on, Benji. Let's follow the direction its showing us." And she stood up and looked towards the east, before taking a deep breath and setting forth.

They left the Priory behind and followed the flickering jewel, out of the gateway and across the grass they went heading towards the river. At the edge of the shallow embankment they stopped, and the wide slow waters lay before them. Too deep to cross, Maisie looked to her right. Tall trees and no sign of a crossing could be seen, but as she looked left, a bridge she saw spanning the widest part of the river no more than a hundred yards away. "There, we can cross the river. Let's go, Benji!" She said and began to run towards it. As she went she glanced down at the brooch, and the jewel still flickered and pointed east, to her right.

They stepped onto the bridge and Benji stayed her crossing. "Maisie? Do you think this is a good idea?" he said as he looked into the flowing waters. "You know I don't like deep water, or water in any amount, really."

"I'm sure the bridge is safe, it looks well made." She replied with a smile. "I don't like heights, but I have still climbed trees to overcome it."

"Did it work?" Benji asked.

"No, but I try not to think about it." She said as she stooped low and lifted him up. "Don't look down at the water, and trust me, Benji. I wont let you go until we're on solid ground."

"You promise?" He squeaked as he nuzzled into her, eyes closed.

"I promise, you will be fine." She reassured him, though she did not wish to cross the bridge either. It was built of a metal framework, with wooden foot boards. For the most part, it looked secure, but as she crossed some of the woodwork seemed in need of urgent repair. Gingerly she stepped as she went, clasping Benji in one arm, and the other she gripped tightly to the side. Slowly and steadily she walked across, and once upon the other side she settled Benji down upon the ground.

So relieved he was that he scurried away from the edge of the bridge, and hunched low to the ground shaking off his fears. "The Fierce Deity indeed." Laughed Maisie.

"Fear of heights? Maisie, the wielder of the Brooch of Natures Calling... Not so funny is it?" He retorted with a gruff.

"I guess not." She replied and looked at the brooch. The pathway led both left and right, but the jewel which glowed pointed to their left. "This way, Benji." And they walked along the pathway. Tall trees passed by, their bark gnarled and covered in growths of moss and ivy. Each older than any could guess at, and within the heights song birds called out. Slender shafts of light streamed down glowing in bright dashed breaks, warming the leaves of broad leaved plants in wide drifts of small clumps. Their white delicate flowers protruded from their mass, skyward they shone as a sprinkling of diamond sparks. Held in time, frozen.

On they went, as the churning voice of the water cascaded amongst the riverbed rocks. A Pied Wagtail fluttered from rock to rock, catching mayflies and other bugs as it flitted across the water. Each time it's tail dipped in a display of achievement for it's graceful cunning, bobbing a few times in self approval. The Brooch began to glow brighter, it's flickering now became a pulse. Maisie wondered what that meant, and if they were close to whatever it wished to show them. She remembered what Arthicus had said, that which the Crows of the Oaknr Sanctum had enforced also. "The Rabbit is cunning, and the Fox is sly." She found herself saying softly. But it made her wonder if this was another waylaying of the Fox's design.

Lost to thought for a moment, her awareness returned to her. Maisie was aware that the air was silent, no sound, not even the gentle breeze that had begun to move made any sound to her ears. The Brooch now pulsed from the central gem, but another held the light for a moment only. It pointed to a settlement of large stones. Maisie slowly approached and carefully placed her feet as she went. Benji followed in her footsteps, well almost. And as Maisie searched for the best place to step, the Brooch began to glow bright. Maisie looked around her, but all she could see was the steepening slopes of tall trees and undergrowth. Great drifts of Ivy hung from the upper trees, and filled almost all of the land between their vast frames. Sweeping in soft rolls until the sunlit wild flowering carpet filled the lower scoop of land before the waters edge.

She looked at the Brooch once more, it still pulsed.

"Maisie, what's that? Is it hurt?" Benji said pushing past her, and he looked between two rocks. Maisie crouched by his side, and as she did so she saw a small slender creature. With a silvery skin it shimmered with pale blue watery motion. Four limbs it had, yet they were all arms. Without legs, a wasp-like abdomen it had, but more slender. Maisie fixed her gaze upon its face, and deep into insect-like eyes. The dark gaze in return looked pained, as she held out her hand. "My name is Maisie, and this is Benji." she said as she gestured towards it.

The slender silver figure reached out a delicate limb towards the Brooch, and Maisie moved it closer. A desperate grasp clamped against the central stone and it glowed with a deepening emerald hue. Softly the creature spoke. "Ahlenin en-eftinalis muiren, intresidien allenith olcruit-inien sel nithin..."

"I do not know what you are saying, I am sorry." Maisie replied as her eyes began to narrow, and her ears bent towards it, she leaned ever closer. The stones shone with a flickering light, and softly once more the creature repeated it's words as it grasped the brooch. "I am in need of your help, bearer of the stone of The One."

"How can I help you?" Maisie asked as her eyes began to well with tears.

"Darkness has defiled our sacred place, the Moggori corrupt all that they, touch..." it said with a gasp, before the light of it's eyes fell dark. The shimmer upon it's slender body faded into a cold pale grey, and it passed away.

"No! Please, don't go!" Maisie cried out, but the small slender limb fell limp and slid from the stone of the brooch. A single tear fell from Maisie's eye and as it did so, the world became still. Falling in a time unknown, yet present, her tear of regret shed many shades of light in an uncounted array of colours. Each shimmering in an age of it's own, as if time had created it anew. As it fell against the brooch it crowned, casting the smallest droplets upon the fragile hand of the creature. A moment of silence lay between Maisie and the world around her.

Within that moment she saw before her waking eyes a vision of creation, and the crafting of the brooch. A tall slender figure shrouded in silver light, holding aloft that which was crafted by kind hands. And a pledge spoken in a language she did not know. "Ellinaneid ephelinandris torroth-lindh!"

Snapping back to her senses Maisie saw before her a stirring. The slender hand which grasped the brooch twitched. One finger at first, then the twisting of the wrist. Eyes once dulled of light began to shimmer, and the creature began to move. Slowly at first, then heaving it's frame upwards it looked into her eyes and smiled. "Thank you, thank you life giver." it said in a soft tone, before reaching for her hand.

Benji stood in wonder, not knowing what to do, but realised that he should not intervene. He stood silent and still, watching.

"You're welcome!" Maisie said in relief. "Take your time, breath and rest. I thought I'd lost you."

"Where is my kindred?" It questioned further as it struggled to raise itself up.

"I do not know..." She said sadly. "I am Maisie, and this is Benji. What is your name?" She asked kindly.

"My name, my name is Ilida, protector of the Time Cast." Ilida said panting softly.

"The Time Cast?" Maisie said confused. "What is the Time Cast?"

"We have no words to describe what it is in your language, but in our tongue it is called Silphias. I cannot explain what it is to you, but it is dangerous in the wrong hands."

"Maisie... Maisie!" Benji said as he noticed a nearby plant unfurl its leaves. Slowly they opened, and within each a similar creature reared its head. Slender arms parted the folds and they stretched their silvery wings of pure light, before fluttering towards their fallen friend.

"My kindred!" Ilida said softly as they gathered and exchanged gratitude for her safety. One pulled away and fluttered before Maisie's face. "Indeed you are as the Borrig's say. Something special."

"I don't know about that, but if I can help, I will." She replied with a smile, wiping her tears away. "Tell me more, what are the Moggori?

"The Moggori, they are not from this world. They deceive, they corrupt the minds of allies. The allies of The One. He who gave voices to all, taught the world to live, to grow. Why he departed, I do not know. But he left the Brooch that you hold, for a reason. That reason my be you, Maisie. You have a pure heart, that is certain." The creature said holding Maisie's gaze.

"What must I do?" She asked and looked at the gathering.

Ilida heaved her body upwards, and from her back the wavering silver-white light grew into whips of flame. With an enchanted flash, her wings were revealed with many colours of magnificence. Her eyes shone with vengeance, controlled but revealed. "Decrass will return to us, or fall."

"Who is Decrass?" Maisie asked.

Ilida fluttered and rose to her eye level. "Decrass the Defender of the Time Cast. Once our ally, he was corrupted by the Moggori, swayed into their ways. He dwells deep in the caverns of the Priory. It is said that The One would have need of that which he was decreed to protect... But now I fear that he will not allow any to pass into the inner sanctum. Even The One."

"Then how do we rid Decrass of this curse?" Maisie asked as she looked at them in turn.

"We must enter the caverns, and take back the Time Cast." Ilida replied. "He will join us once more, of fall." She said as her voice deepened, and her eyes darkened. "We must return to the Priory."

"Climb into my satchel, and I will take you there." Maisie said as she opened her bag. "There is plenty of room within."

Ilida did so, and as Maisie folded the covering over she spoke to her kindred. "Await of me at the Oaknr Sanctum, the Crows shall protect you. Tell them Ilida asks of the Cadeus Retrium to be upheld. They cannot refuse, for it is written in their blood from an age long ago."

Her kindred flew swiftly into the undergrowth which covered the sloping grounds at the feet of the dark rock of the cliffs. "We must go now." Ilida said and pulled the satchel covering over her.

"Come Benji, we have to do what we can." Maisie said as she stood up and turned, looking across the water towards the ruined stones of the priory.

Following the pathway they returned to the bridge, crossed it, and skirted the waters edge to the priory. Slowly they entered the doorway arch, and as they did they saw a shadowy vision of what once was, long ago. Warmly lit columns of smoothly carved stone, guided her eyes towards the alter. Soft light in many coloured hues streamed across the flooring tiles, and a peacefulness welled within her.

"Maisie!" Ilida called out. "Maisie! Do not heed the Moggori's enchantment. They try to deceive you."

Maisie stood within the broken bones of the priory, the grass carpeting lay at her feet, and the roofless ruin surrounded her once more. "I understand, Ilida." She said as she looked at her small face peeping from her bag. "Now, where is the entrance to the caverns below?"

"There, by the last window to the left." Ilida pointed.

They approached the weather worn walling, each side missing it's continued stonework. Above, a broken window arch, a lofty remainder of beautiful craft-work.

She looked at the stonework and traced its surface, left to right she searched for something that would show them their way. Nothing, nothing stuck out to her. "Ilida, where is the entrance, is it hidden?"

Ilida climbed from her satchel and fluttered towards the wall. Placing her four hands against it she looked across the stone before her. Her wings changed, what was once light became dark, a dark mist-like vapour swirled and she slid her hands in a circular motion. A small slender crack began to open. Slowly it grew in Maisie's eyes until it consumed her whole sight, and with a crack. The world became dark. She looked around her, but it was all dark.

"Ilida!" She cried out, dimly echoing within a space she could not see. "Benji!" she called out hoping for a reply.

"I'm here Maisie, but where are we? I cannot see anything." Benji replied with a trembling in his voice.

"We are within the caverns, the inner sanctum is not far." Ilida said.

Maisie held aloft the Brooch, and its jewels glowed brightly, but the darkness stole its light away. Nothing but darkness lay before their eyes. "How do we find our way when light shows nothing?" She said as she held the brooch forth and turned in a circle. She stooped low and the stone floor lay before her, dark, an unusual stone it was. Black without a sheen, it did not inspire hope, but fear.

"I don't like this, Maisie." Benji said as he leaned into her leg for reassurance.

"No, I don't like this either." She replied and scooped him into her arms.

"We must go forth, to find the Time Cast. We must retrieve it, keep it safe. The Moggori must not gain it's power." Ilida said as she began to glow bright. "I can guide you, but my power fades in this place. The darkness is fighting my light as we speak."

Maisie noticed the walls at each side of them, tall and smooth, the stone was the same as the flooring. A dark labryinth lay before them, and fear rose with. "Come, let us not linger." Ilida said as she began to flutter forwards, Maisie followed closely behind with a terrified Benji.

Each turn, each choice of direction was guessed at. Would it lead to a dead-end, or a trap? They did not know, and Ilida remembered not, for it had been many hundreds of years since she had been within these halls. On they went, and Maisie kept looking at the brooch, it's light struggled to break the smothering darkness, but she guessed at the direction it tried to show her. Slow and steady they continued to walk, closely following Ilida, and consulting the brooch. Suddenly they were aware of slow deliberate breathing. All around them the hissing exhalation of something unknown filled their ears. "Decrass..." Whispered Ilida. "Be wary of his motive, listen not to his lies."

Maisie felt like something more was hindering them, something she could feel, something resisting her movement. The floor, the walls, and the air felt thick of it. But light did not show it, and she became increasingly aware of the hissing breath of whatever Decrass was. At last she could take no more, and with a cry she called Decrass out.

"Give way to the darkness, Decrass! What pleasure do you gain from our fears?" She shouted, echoes muffled returned to her ears and faded. Silence met them as they stood together in the light-less maze. "Show yourself, Decrass! Or do you fear what you may see, if you see at all?" Maisie called out again.

The breath which haunted them rose and fell in pitch and length. Each time it seemed more pained to endure the insult thrown against it. Decrass, unknown and alone in the darkness for untold years spoke at last.

"You mock me?" A shrouded hissing filled the echoing passages. "You, mock, me?" It came again, but closer.

"I call you out!" Maisie said sternly. "Show yourself!"

"I will show myself, if you can pass this maze. I am closer than you think, and I'm so hungry." Decrass said in a slow lumbering hissing. "You have until I tire of your, wandering in the dark. When you're weary of your task, and you tire of the dark. I will reveal my mighty form for you, and I will be your last vision."

"Coward!" Maisie shouted, awaiting for a reply that would not come. She turned her gaze upon the brooch. "This way, we shall not give Decrass his pleasure." They turned the next corner and into the next passage, same dark stonework continued to lead them deeper into Decrass' maze.

Seconds became minuets, and minuets felt like hours in that endless maze. After some time Maisie bumped into something, feeling for what it was her eyes strained. Soft dripping could be heard above, and she guessed at water. "Ilida, do you hear water?" She asked.

"I do, could this be..." She stayed her words and began to put forth her power of light. The darkness parted, and for a moment Maisie looked upon a wide, shallow, basin of white shimmering marble. A gentle ripple ran inwards, decreasing as it surged to the centre. Pooling up into a droplet it fell towards the ceiling, vanishing into the unseen heights above, and ending with a gentle splash.

"That's not right, is it?" Benji said as he watched the next ripple move inwards to the centre of the basin.

Ilida dimmed her light and fluttered to Maisie's ear. Gently grabbing it and getting close she whispered. "We are not far, I know the way from here."

"I will follow you, but do not hurry. We don't want Decrass to guess we're not lost now." Maisie whispered in reply.

Slowly they turned and took the passage to their left, steadily they went taking their time to make sure that they seemed lost. Decrass could be heard like a unrelenting wind, a foul breath, a hissing slur. Maisie looked at the brooch, it's pale light faded and returned dimly at each turn. But it matched Ilida's memory, and they slowly moved closer to the Time Cast.

How long they had been within the walled torment of Decrass, they did not know. But in time Maisie thought she could see light ahead. Very dim, a lighter shadow than the darkness which claimed their sight. She was unsure at first. A trick of Decrass, an illusion of the power that lurked in the dark corners, she knew not. As they drew closer, it seemed brighter, not much brighter, but Ilida was certain of it. "The Time Cast!" She said softly, and fluttered towards the next turn. "Come!" She cried out, and rounded the corner.

Maisie gripped Benji tighter and ran, sweeping round the corner the way was lit well. Slender shafts of light escaped from the dull stonework upon each side, shining from within the walls, and pooling upon the flooring and lower wall. An ancient language was illuminated upon the slender floor tiles which edged the way. Maisie noticed this, but only heeded the new noises which followed. Thudding, stabbing, scuffing stone it came closer and closer, accompanied by the hissing breath of Decrass.

Ahead within an opening Ilida fluttered, arms outstretched and fearful she cried out. "Run! Maisie, hurry!"

Fear renewed, tucking the brooch into her satchel, she ran as fast as she could. But the horrid breath followed louder, the footfall ever closer and darkness came with it.

"Behind me!" Ilida cried out as they passed her into the opening. A blinding light lit the room ahead, casting a long shadow of Maisie clinging to Benji upon the pale floor. They stopped and turned to see Ilida shining brightly. A silvery starlight, small and fierce. And from the darkness beyond the screaming jaws of Decrass slammed into an unseen barrier. Twisted painful cries, clusters of eyes, and many long stomping legs, retreated into the shadowy mist, returning to show hatred once more.

"The Time Cast, Maisie!" Cried out Ilida. "Get the Time Cast!"

Maisie looked back into the room ahead, smooth pale stone flooring lead her to a pedestal. A golden glow without a source lit the area around it, upon it a single sheet of parchment lay. Maisie looked back to see Decrass throw it's horrid form upon the barrier once more. Again it's pained face fuelled by anger retreated for another attempt to breach it.

Turning to the parchment Maisie lowered Benji to the floor, and reached out her hands to grasp it. Golden scriptures adorned it, a soft sweeping stroke, an ancient language she could not read. She paused for a moment, but Benji called her back.

"Maisie!" he shouted as loud as he could. "That thing wants us dead, and I'm afraid. Very afraid!"

As Maisie grasped the parchment, it crumbled into the finest powder, a pale shimmer passed across her hands as the dust faded from sight. "No, no, no! What's happening?" She cried out. "I'm sorry, Benji." And she began to cry.

The pain of Decrass continued with shrill cries as the horrid form thrust itself against Ilida's barrier, her light began to fail, and her power diminished. Sweeping into the chamber Ilida looked into Maisie's eyes. "You are the vessel of the power now... Use it!"

A slurring cackle echoed into the chamber, and Decrass heaved his huge form into the passage. "Only a matter of, time..." He hissed, and his breath laboured under his corrupt misshapen frame. Slowly heaving the bloated body along the passage, Decrass buckled and strained to move. "Now you're mine, my hunger fulfilled... Satisfied, after many hundreds of long dark years."

Maisie stood facing the pedestal, unmoved. Tears streamed from here eyes, and she looked upon Benji one last time. "I'm sorry, Benji." She said softly.

"Don't be.,, I've had the best adventures with you, Maisie. I would have had it no other way." And he lowered his eyes.

"Is this really your time, Maisie?" Ilida asked. "Or do you have more to do?"

As Ilida spoke, Decrass thrust his deformed bulk forth to strike with a scream of excitement. Huge fangs dripping with saliva, clustered eyes with clover shaped pupils encased in cold grey. Focused to kill, he lunged towards them. Maisie swiftly turned to face him raising her hand in defiance. "This is not my time!" She cried, echoing through the chamber.

As she did so, a shimmering blast of silver light dispelled the darkness, slender pale flames shrouded her hand. Her eyes shone with the light of time, and Decrass froze in his motion. Time showed its slow decay, the light in his eyes passed, deep grey faded into silvery white, and he crumbled into an ashen pile before them.

Maisie stood still, silence filled the chamber, and Benji broke it with a deep sigh.

"What have I done?" Maisie asked in utter shock of the power which she had received.

"Saved our lives." Benji said in return.

"More than that... Your actions today, may have saved more than you will ever know, Maisie. Now the Moggori will never have the power of the Time Cast." Ilida said as she smiled at them both in turn. "I believe that The One would be grateful of your strength, and your courage."

"I do not want this power, it is too much for one person. Too much indeed." Maisie said as she took the brooch from her satchel and held it tightly. "Only The One should have such powers, not I."

"That Brooch, it chose you, Maisie. You are bound to it now, until its master returns." Ilida replied kindly.

"Will he, return?" She asked.

"I'm sure he will, when he is needed." Ilida said and held out her hands. "Come, let us leave this place. This sanctum is of no more use, there is nothing here but memory."

Maisie scooped Benji into her arms and held him close. Ilida placed her four slender hands lightly upon Maisie's, and muttered words which they did not understand. Darkness claimed their sight, and a cool welcoming breeze swept around them. Maisie opened her eyes to find that she was lying upon the grass at the edge of the river. Benji lay beside her snoring loudly. Reaching for her pocket and feeling the brooch, she wondered. Holding her hand up she looked for signs of silver flame. Nothing.

"A dream?" She questioned herself, but knew it was not. She looked over her shoulder to the ruins of the priory, and thought she saw a slender fairy, with wings silver light, waving from the long shadows.

"Fairies do exist." She smiled.

The End