CHAPTER 22
The Devil is Risen
ABack already,@ smiled Mrs Murtagh.
AAye,@ said Davey.
AGone on then, he's up there waiting.@ She winked as she spoke, it was a knowing wink, a wink between her and the boy.
Davey made his way up the stairs pondering what she had meant to convey to him, did she know what he and Paddy were up to? or was it something else?
Paddy must have heard him, he was coughing as Davey went up the stairs but stopped when he entered the bedroom. AHow's yer mum and dad then?@ he asked in his deep gruff voice.
AFine Uncle Paddy, fine...@ he was about to tell him about the reception he had received from his Mrs M but thought better of it. AShould I put the helmet on Uncle Paddy?@ he asked.
AJust hold it for a sec there lad. I've been worrying whilst yer were gone about this poor girl stuck up in Carnatic, I reckon that if the Shyman's prowling round the sooner yer get her out of that place the better it'll be for her.@
AShould I go there tomorrow, see if I can talk to her, tell her that she's not safe?@
AI reckon there's no harm tryin' lad. She'd be a lot safer with us back here than stuck up in that old house on her own.@
AThis all seems so weird Uncle Paddy. It's like a dream, I keep on expecting to wake up. How can we be trying to save the life of someone who's already dead?@ Davey laughed, the idea was so unimaginable.
ALook lad, the helmet's there, under the bed. It's real, we've got hold of it, if yer can run like a rabbit and hide like the invisible man when yer wearing it then what's there to imagine? How come these pictures appear in the mirror when yer wearin' it? How come them scally-wags yer sorted out, you know the ginger-head and his mate, how come they saw the White Lady? I tell yer lad it's no dream, it's flippin' happening and we're goin' to see it through.@
AI'll go back there tomorrow, when its light, see if I can talk to her,@ said Davey convinced.
AYer'll have to take certain precautions though lad,@ said Paddy chewing his lip.
ASuch as?@ Davey realised he was referring to the Shaman.
AWell for one, I reckon that we can get advice from the old man on how's yer can go about protecting yerself from that evil little sod.@
Davey nodded, AI'll ask him,@ he put on the helmet.
The snow was falling thick and fast, the old man and girl trudged along the canal bank walking though freezing slushy puddles and slipping on black ice. The snow grew thicker blotting out even the faintest starlight. Far behind them the last flames of the bridge flickered. The old man told Chacuti to walk in front of him so that he could always see her. ACome child, we shall take to water,@ he said seeing a reed boat, Ait will be speedier for us and safer.@
The old man slipped and skidded his way up the bank but Chacuti seemed to float up it. They boarded the vessel and rummaged round until the old man found a paddle. The boat was surprisingly stable and was so light that the merest pull on the paddle sent it flitting across the surface of the canal. Under the weird shaped branches of gnarled trees they skimmed along, ATake shelter child,@ said the old man nodding towards the back of the boat where the stern raised up in a great curve and provided room beneath it for the child to crouch. The snow continued to fall but the helmet gave the old man all the warmth that he needed, the energy from the skulls kept the child similarly warmed.
AHe's asking where the Shaman is again,@ said Davey.
AWell get on and tell >im, what yer waitin' for,@ said Paddy impatiently, Ayer can ask him about how to protect yerself from the Shyman later.@
Father Salamanga was running away from the great hall in the palace.
The Spaniards stood staring at each other as he left, some had open mouths, others had looks of total terror etched into their features, not because of the foul act of murder they had committed, not because of their treachery but because of the actions of their own priest.
AHe is possessed of a demon!@ exclaimed Carlos to the commander, putting the thoughts of all into words. ANo man could hope to have survived such a wound.@
AWitchery has taken place here tonight,@ the commander said quietly but his mind was on other matters, he shouted to his men, AForm up, the Incas must be defeated swiftly before they have recovered from their shock. Without the nobles they will be leaderless!@
ABut what of Father Salamanga?@ enquired Carlos.
AHe makes his own destiny,@ answered the commander. Another officer approached him, ASire, the men are saying that the man who aided the Incas was the cook. One of the men says that he would swear to it, the old man carries a great scar but they cannot all be mistaken.@
AWitchery has taken place here tonight,@ repeated the commander quietly to himself. He shouted the sergeant to hurry the men into forming up.
Across the dark plain the priest tore, his sandals quickly became sodden and slipped from beneath his feet but still remained fastened to his legs by the thin ankle straps, he did not slow his pace or even attempt to remove them but thundered swiftly onwards. The snow increased and battered into his face, soon his beard turned white with the frosty crystals encrusted upon it.
AYOU ARE MINE!@ yelled the priest as he ran, shouting frenziedly into the air. He cut across the plain, leaping irrigation ditches which the cold night was already beginning to freeze over, heading straight for the canal.
AI hear you boy,@ said the old man. He stood up in the boat and scanned his eyes across the plain.
AWhat's he doin'. It's pitch dark,@ said Paddy.
AHe's wearing the helmet Uncle Paddy.@
ARight lad. Well the flippin' speed that Shyman's moving he'll think he's seen a 24" shell or sommat. How's he know where to find the old man anyhow?@
AThe Shaman is drawn to the helmet,@ said the old man, then more softly, Athe child he seeks is with me.@
The old man saw the priest. He was clearly shocked, AThe devil is risen,@ he said with dismay in his voice. He returned to paddling, this time he paddled hard and swiftly sending the boat surging along on the side of the canal furthest away from his pursuer. AGo forwards boy, check the length of this waterway, there may be another bridge which would allow this demon to reach us.@
Davey zipped along the length of the canal, he was able to report the good news that it had only the one bridge and that had been destroyed by Lord Axa. However the waterway did narrow at one point, ABetter warn him about that lad, spring-heeled Jack over there might try to bounce on board,@ said Paddy.
They watched the priest, the snow was cold and dry but as it settled upon his steaming body it melted saturating his cassock which had blown open. ALook what he's carrying lad, if ever yer needed convincing there's yer proof!@
Tied to the priest's belt by a his rosary beads was the Shaman's sacrificial dagger.
AMaybe if the old man was to throw his helmet into the water the Shaman would stop chasing them and go after the helmet,@ suggested Davey.
ANot a bad idea lad, try letting him know it.@
The old man spoke, AHe will never let the child get away. The helmet gives me strength, it is better that it protects us than we run the risk of allowing the Shaman to use it.@
AHe's no idjit is he lad. He's talkin' sense.@
Father Salamanga halted at the exact point of which Davey had warned. The bank on the side on which he stood jutted out towards the far bank due to a great rock which had proven too much of an obstacle for the Incas to clear. Onto this rock the priest climbed until he overlooked the waterway below.
AHe'll be able to jump onto them from there without any problem Uncle Paddy!@
ABut he might not chance it lad, not if what we reckon about the water's true, what if he slipped and fell in?@
AThe old man reckons the same as you do but...@ Davey watched the priest gathering great stones which he heaped onto the rock.
The boat raced beneath, warned to move as fast as he could the old man dug furiously with the paddle sending a bow wave the full length of his small craft.
AWatch out!@ cried Da
vey.
The priest slammed one of the stones downwards with terrific force, it narrowly missed and sent a spray of water high into the air.
AFlippin' >eck it's like a flippin' bomb went off!@ exclaimed Paddy.
In a whirl of movement the priest hurled another stone, this time the stone was directly on target, the bubble of protection around the old man, still weakened from his battle with the Shaman, was just enough to send the missile glancing harmlessly into the water. Whilst its splash was still falling upon them the Shaman loosed off another rock. This time the bubble failed to hold, the stone slammed through and hit the boat, the small craft lurched dangerously to one side, Chacuti screamed and slipped into the water, droppin his paddle the old man grasped her hand and hauled her back onto the stricken craft. But they had passed further away from the Shaman, they were no longer in range of the stones but the boat had been damaged, as the stone had powered its way through the reeds it had picked up a greater mass in its progress so that when it eventually ripped its way through beneath the keel it tore out a great hole.
As the boat lurched along its bow began to turn towards the Shaman's bank. They watched as Father Salamanga ran down from the rock and stood waiting, chest heaving from exertion, waiting for them to fall into his clutches.
Nearer and nearer they floated towards the Shaman, he stood leering at them, a terrible grin had crossed his features, his hand rested upon the handle of his dagger. AI have them, soon I shall return,@ he snarled.
AWho's he talkin' to?@ asked Paddy, Athe feller's cracking up.@
Davey concentrated and they listened to the old man's reply, AThe skulls speak to him, they advise and strengthen him.@
ACan't we get back to them flippin' things and smash >em like the girl did?@
AWe could listen to what they're saying Uncle Paddy but we can't do any more than that. Hold on, the old man's going to take his helmet off!@
AIs that safe lad? Tell him to leave it on.@
But the old man had already removed the helmet, he began using it as a paddle, scooping it through the water which felt icy cold without the protection it gave him. He locked his numbed fingers into the two holes in its base in case the freezing water caused him to drop it. He could no longer see in the darkness, neither could he communicate directly with Davey, it was more by a kind of instinctive feel, much as they had experienced in the temple, that Davey was able to direct the old man along the right course.
Chacuti sat in the stern, aware that the old man was risking everything to help her she asked, AWhy do you wish to help me?@
The old man never stopped scooping but answered, AI never did take to men of evil child, and this one is worse than most.@
ACouldn't have put it better meself lad!@ Paddy encouraged, AEh up! Talking of the devil, where's he gone?@
The Shaman had moved off. The old man was becoming tired without the strength that the helmet gave him but he had steered the craft away from danger, he was gradually forced to stop scooping and put the helmet back on allowing the slight current to take control over the craft, only endeavouring to steer when it tilted its way towards the far bank.
The hole in the base of the vessel allowed water to rise into the boat but the individual reeds trapped chambers of air which kept it from sinking hardly any lower than before the stone had struck, the main problem was its manoeuvrability which appeared to have been quite badly affected.
AThere he is, look, what's he doing?@ They watched as the Shaman trotted along the canal bank ahead of the boat, not too far ahead so that he lost sight of the craft but far enough ahead to allow him time to utilise whatever opportunity presented itself.
AShould we tell the old man to land on the side away from the Shaman and try running for it?@ suggested Davey.
AMight not be such a good idea lad, they didn't make very good time of it before and this snow's not getting any lighter. It'd be a bit like sticking yer head up out of a trench. The enemy know where yer are but they can't do a damned thing about it except when yer leave yer shelter, then WHAM!@ the way Paddy shouted his final word caused Davey to jump up into the air with fright, it wasn't until he had settled himself back down again that he recovered sufficiently to be able to reply, AI see what you mean.@
ATell yer what lad, while it's gone quiet here how about nipping back and seeing how Lord Axa's lot are gettin' on?@
Davey thought for a moment, AThe old man wants us with him Uncle Paddy.@
AArr eh lad, this is goin' to get boring if we've got to keep doin' what he wants all the time.@
AHe's up to something Uncle Paddy.@
The old man slipped from the side of the reed-boat into the water, a thin film of ice had formed across the surface of the canal, as he swam he used the helmet to help him to break a path. Without its protection he could only have hoped to survive for a few seconds, with it he felt no discomfort whatsoever. The Shaman's tongue slipped in and out, it was forked, it tasted the air and scented the old man in the darkness, with a vicious smile he began to walk back towards the point where the old man would reach the bank.
The old man reached the side and began to pull himself up the raised bank, swollen with snow from the mountains the canal had risen near to the top of the bank. The Shaman stood back from the old man just outside the bubble of protection, his savage eyes glared.
ABegone evil one!@ cried the old man. The Shaman remained rooted to the spot. The old man flung his whole arm against the surface of the water sending a thin sheet of icy water cascading towards the Shaman. He did not move but remained standing still staring at the old man. The water added itself to the soaked cassock.
AThe water didn't bother him!@ cried Davey.
AThe old feller's had it!@ added Paddy.
ANo wait, the old man's right, if the Shaman wasn't frightened of the water he'd have attacked him by now. He wouldn't just be standing there would he.@
AYer may be right lad,@ said Paddy not sounding convinced.
AThe skulls were put underwater, he's got to go right in the water!@
ALike a baptism!@ exclaimed Paddy, AI tell yer what though I wouldn't want to be the one to baptise that baby.@
AMaybe that's why people got baptised like that in the olden days Uncle Paddy!@
AHang on the slack lad, yer letting this lot get to yer again. What's he doin' now?@
The old man starting digging into the top of the bank using his hands like shovels. The strength the helmet gave him allowed him to dig great chunks of earth free and he flung them towards the Shaman. The Shaman did not move but stood watching the earth as it shot towards him then veered away before it hit him.
AHe's bullet-proof as well is he,@ sighed Paddy. AWhat's the old man doing, can't he see he's wasting his time?
The old man continued digging and throwing clods of soil, rocks and stones towards the Shaman. AI know what he's doing, look!@ Davey shot their view in for a closer examination.
The surface of the canal met the narrow trench the old man had dug. Hesitantly, the water trickled through the gap then dribbled down the bank towards the Shaman. Within moments the gap widened and the water began to pour through the breach. The Shaman walked slowly away but as the water continued to pour down the bank he was forced to trot.
AHe's not taking any chances with getting caught is he lad!@
The old man dug further into the bank.
AI'd better tell him not to go too far Uncle Paddy or there'll be nothing for him left to float on.@
AAnd Axa will end up with egg on his face if he thinks the canal is going to defend him,@ joked Paddy.
The old man halted and began paddling back to the boat, it had moved further away in the current and it was some time before he was able to reach it and climb onboard. He picked up the paddle and rowed hard, Davey and Paddy watched as the water continued to pour from the canal forming a great, ever deepening sheet over the plain, the Shaman sat like an animal upon a boulder within the sheet, watching it slowly rising.
; AHe's trapped lad, tell the old man that he's too scared to leave his perch!@
Davey stared at the old man, AIt will give him some time but as soon as the canal finds its new level the water on the plain will quickly freeze and the Shaman will follow,@ said Davey.
As if to confirm what the old man had told him they saw the priest extend one of his bare feet towards the surface and press as if testing the rapidly forming ice.
The old man paddled for hours, the night grew colder and the ice on the surface of the canal gradually grew thicker, slowing his progress. The water on the icy plain was quicker to freeze, before long the Shaman was able to test it and find that it would take the weight of his body. It was no more that knee-deep he had nothing to fear. He raced after the boat skating along on the flats of his feet over the ice.
The canal had met a larger waterway, the old man had followed the current, rowing hard, forcing his small craft through the ice. Soon the current increased to such an extent that ice was not able to form, it would not be until the depths of winter had set in that the cold would freeze even the waterfalls into solid walls of crystal. Davey scouted ahead, informing the old man of what to expect.
AHe want's to get to the sea, he says that he can get on one of their ships there,@ said Davey, AI'm going to find the best way for him to go, write it on that paper Uncle Paddy.@ They soared their way rapidly down river valleys, twisting and turning through chasms and over wide estuaries to the sea, the sun was rising on the horizon sending promises of warmth for the forthcoming day.
ARight that's it, have you got it all down Uncle Paddy?@
AAye lad,@ said Paddy pointing towards his diagram which looked like something an injured spider might have drawn.
They steered the old man's craft down to a great river, as the sun rose Davey recognised it, AThis is the river that they followed up to the city Uncle Paddy. This must be the same way that those rafts the commander was talking about have been shifting all the gold back to their ships.@
AIt fits lad, it fits.@
Davey swept their view back up the river valleys, past cliffs and through gorges to the Shaman. He was climbing higher seeking to reach the high plateau which crossed along the back of the mountain range like the spinal cord of a great animal. He never tired but raced onwards drawn by the pull of the helmet and the child who had interfered with the plans of the gods.
AHe's going some isn't he lad?@
Davey joined in with Paddy's light-heartedness, AWe could have done with him in the CLB cross-country team, we'd have been in with a chance!@
AYeah, no-chance,@ quipped Paddy.
The reed-boat bobbed along on the racing waters far below unseen to the Shaman's eyes, sometimes it was necessary for the old man to place a foot into the churning waters to provide enough of a drag to steer the craft back out into mid-channel and the flatter, faster currents.
Davey was elated, AHe'll never catch them, the speed they're going, look he's falling further behind all the time.@
ADon't count yer chickens lad,@ warned Paddy, Adid yer see his eyes.@
Davey recalled the fixed, half-crazed stare that emanated from the eyes of the priest and shivered.
The Shaman was moving swiftly, his cassock had ripped along the bottom, shortening it, the hood had been torn off. The sandals still flapped crazily around his ankles, occasionally he screamed a fierce oath into the ether, on more than one occasion he fell flat onto his face but seemed to bounce back to his feet with renewed energy and vigour. No obstacle could halt him, nothing could slow him; the deep snows which permanently covered the high peaks were frozen as hard as stone, the Shaman bounded up the sheer white slopes. The feet of the priest were worn to the bone by the action of the frozen crystals. In places the ground dipped sharply downwards before continuing its steep ascent, the Shaman simply threw the body headlong and hurtled downwards to be halted with numbing force against protrusions of rocks.
ATell yer what lad that flippin' priest is gettin' a taste of his own medicine. Do yer reckon he knows what's happening to >im?@
Davey shook his head. He had no idea.
Arriving at the plateau, the ground levelled off and the Shaman attained an even greater speed hurtling over rocks and boulders as though they did not exist, the best part of the short winter day had passed before Paddy and Davey were able to notice any slight decrease in his rapid movement. He headed for a cleft between two towering rock formations which surmounted the top of the section of mountain range which he was traversing. Halting near to the cleft he cried out in a strange tongue, AOIKAERT GOIJE!@ The rising sun projected its rays into the cleft.
AWhat's >e going on about?@
The Shaman walked into the cleft, it was just wide enough to admit the shoulders of the priest, he walked towards a wall of ice-covered rock and halted. The priest's hand was laid upon the ice, it moved over the slippery surface as if trying to detect something that lay beneath then halted over a certain spot. Thick nails scraped away, soon a small gold replica of a llama was revealed, further scraping found a small silver replica of a jaguar.
AWhat's going on, they look like a kid's toys.@
The nails dug deeper, what appeared to be a child's doll, fashioned in silver with a cloth dress
was torn free from the ice. The Shaman gazed up into the sky and yelled, AI take what is mine!@ He jerked free a slab of compacted ice, beneath it the face of a young child stared out. It was frozen, mummified by the intense cold and dryness of that altitude.
Lightning rent the sky, the mirror flashed bright bolts of blue as the Shaman reeled from the power which he had unleashed and which was being drawn into the body of the priest. Thunder crashed and roared as the energy increased.
AJesus Christ! What the hell's going on >ere!@
AI don't.. like.. this..Uncle Paddy,@ said Davey jerkily.
AGet out of here! cried Paddy. ATake the >elmet off!@
After Davey had sat and cried for several minutes he sobbed, AI don't want to do this anymore Uncle Paddy.@
Paddy comforted him, AIt all happened hundreds of years ago lad. It could never happen nowadays, those times were cruel and people did stuff like that, them Shamen were flippin' monsters, it's all over now, forget yer saw it.@
AWhat about the girl. Is that what she's running from, is that what they mean by the long walk of death. Would they have done that to her?@ he broke down again into fresh sobbing.
AI don't know the answer to that one lad, you just rest yerself now, come on, stick the helmet under the bed and get yer head down.@
Davey lay down on his bed nothing that Paddy said could console him. He was still crying when fatigue and the trauma of the events he had witnessed combined to send him to sleep.
Paddy watched him moving about, an occasional moan escaped from the boy's lips, it was clear that his sleep was not a haven of refuge, a place where the terrors of the day were forgotten. The boy was walking the trail of that child of long ago, surrounded by evil men who carried fierce weapons and who wore terrifying clothes and evil masks. Across the mountain-tops of the world they led the child, as they walked they sang the sound, AAaaughmm,@ strange curved horns were blown which added themselves to the sound. Over and over it was repeated throughout the dream. On towards a distant peak, passing through villages where people cheered and clapped and threw garlands of flowers, on towards a distant peak. Terror set in with the realisation that the child knew, knew but had no control, it was powerless in the hands of the men. Evil stalked the earth, stealing its strength from children. The destination was reached, rough hands forced the child to drink the red earth. The Shaman walked forwards...
Davey woke screaming in the night.
Mrs Murtagh rushed in to the room, AWhat's goin' on?@ she struck a match and lit the light, Paddy was either fast asleep or was pretending to be. AYou alright Davey? I thought I heard sommat,@ she said.
AIt was nothing Mrs M,@ said Davey, AI think I had a dream.@
AFlippin' nightmare by
the sounds of it sunshine, you sure yer alright?@
Davey's answer was to turn on his side and go back to sleep. Mrs Murtagh looked slowly round the room before returning to her own bed.
Paddy's eyes flicked open as she closed the door softly behind herself. He lay there in the darkness listening to the sound of the boy's breathing, when it became regular he knew Davey had fallen asleep.