Doctor Who_ Wolfsbane - Jac Rayner [54]
Godric walked all the way back.
„Interesting,‟ the Doctor said, which was not precisely the same as what Harry was thinking.
„So it‟s not any of us,‟ said Harry. „Back to square one.‟
„Something that only occurs under certain circumstances,‟
said the Doctor, looking Godric up and down. „Something physical?‟
„I‟ve just examined him,‟ said Harry, waving a hand to show it was pointless, „and there‟s nothing odd... Hang on!‟
Yes?‟ said the Doctor. Godric looked worried.
Harry pointed into the corner, where Godric‟s leather pack lay. „That‟s the first time I‟ve seen you without that,‟ he said to Godric.
„Indeed, I am reluctant to leave it behind ever,‟ the lad said.
„It is my only link to my own place and time... but it contains nothing but clothes, a bite of cheese, and my flute, that is all.‟
„Nevertheless,‟ said the Doctor, excitedly. He grabbed the bag from the floor. Put it back on.‟
Harry helped with the buckles, then Godric retraced his steps.
After five paces, Emmeline was clawing at her throat, trying to drag in air. After seven she was on the ground, whimpering. Godric hesitated, not knowing what to do. „Come back!‟ called the Doctor. Godric ran back, as the Doctor ran towards the prostrate woman. „Harry, help him empty that pack. We need to know what‟s causing this,‟ he called over his shoulder.
„Right-ho,‟ Harry said.
The pack was put on the ground, and Godric raised the lid.
The contents were unremarkable, save for them being ancient goods that looked like new - probably not the sort of thing a museum would have been that excited about, but still... There was a carved wooden instrument that Godric called a flute, but which reminded Harry of those recorder things that girls played in school, hunks of bread and yellow cheese with not a trace of mould, wrapped in a white cloth, and a short leather cape. But at the bottom of the pack, wrapped in greasy wool, there was something else. „I say...‟
whispered Harry „What‟s that?‟
Godric didn‟t answer. „Godric?‟ said Harry, but when he turned to look at the youth he saw there were tears in his eyes.
„I remember...‟he breathed. „I remember...‟
So Harry asked him what he remembered.
Godric closed his eyes, but the tears continued to fall. „I‟m lying on the grass, and I realise how thirsty I am. I find the little spring. I drink, and feel the most perfect peace I have ever known in my life. I dip my hands deeper into the water and splash my face. Then something tells me to dip my hands deeper still. I do so - and my fingers brush against something smooth and cool. I clasp it and bring it to the surface. It is a cup, a simple goblet in blue. The sensation of peace that I have been feeling grows stronger yet. I feel strong and calm. I put the cup in my backpack and mount my horse again, ready to go home, eager to share this feeling with those I love, if I can. After a few miles I come to a wood. This is the Lady Morgan‟s domain, where she does many sorceries. The wood is alive, they say, at her hands, through magic and through blood. But I feel so at peace, I cannot be scared. I dismount, and lead my horse in. I remember a woman in green, standing by a tree... And that is all.‟
„Funny,‟ said Harry, „that rings a bell with me too.‟
The Doctor gave them an exasperated look. „That would be the dryad we met in the wood this afternoon, I suspect,‟ he said. „The one who kept Godric in her tree for a thousand years and tried to do the same with you, Harry. I told you she plays with your memories.‟
„Oh, right. Right. That‟s the one,‟ Harry agreed, not having a clue what the Doctor was talking about but wanting to save an argument. He picked up the hunk of wool from Godric‟s bag, and slowly unwrapped it. It was an ancient-looking goblet of maybe eight inches in height, two-handled, blue in colour, just as Godric had described it.
„Fascinating, fascinating,‟ said the Doctor. „This must be what causes Emmeline so much pain.‟ He peered down at the cup. „Not much to