Destiny - Book One in The Bomcard Trilogy
Chapter Six - A Gigantic Problem

Lucas and Elizabeth walked in silence as they continued on theirjourney to Stelipse. It had been two days since they last saw their centaurfriends and in those two days, Lucas and Elizabeth both rested and practicedtheir powers on each other, challenging each other to contests and fights,though they were careful not to hurt one another. They also learned new factsabout one another. Lucas discovered that Elizabeth had two older brothers; hermother had died when she was young, so she never really knew her and her fatherhad raised her to be able to defend herself against any danger. Yet, Lucascould not help but feel there was something she still was not telling him.

Elizabeth, on the otherhand, listened to more stories of Lucas's world. She marveled at the talk oflights, colors and food. The dancing and music were her favourite parts of histales. Her home did not have dancing or music. The only time she could runaround was when she was away from home. She wished with all her heart to beable to go to this magical land, but she knew that this was not possible.

His stories of home werejust as interesting as that of the dancing and music. To think, one home thatwould look after orphans. Here, they were on their own. She had sadly seen toomany orphans and none of them had the same privilege that Lucas had growing upand this Linda woman seemed to be the nicest person she had heard of. Who inthis world would take in so many children and give them their heart and love?Who would be able to give them a proper home, give them their love and then letthem go when they had to?

As the two companionswalked towards the town, Lucas was talking to Elizabeth, filling her head withnew thoughts and images when all of a sudden, he froze. She turned to look athim and noticed his face had turned pale white.

‘Lucas? What's wrong?'she asked in concern.

‘I'm not sure,' hereplied softly. ‘I feel … weird.'

‘Lucas! You are as whiteas a ghost!'

‘It's just that Ithought I heard - ' Without being able to finish his answer, Lucas collapsedonto his knees, his hands flying to his head as he began screaming in agony.‘Ah!'

Images and thoughtsbegan to flash through his head faster than he had ever thought possible. Tohim, he felt like a computer, downloading every piece of information possible.He could hear dangerous and inappropriate thoughts; he could see men and women;he felt life and death. His head was hurting so much he could not stand it.Elizabeth looked on, terrified, not knowing what was happening as Lucas beganscreaming louder from the pain.

‘Iwonder if he will get me that dress I saw.'

‘Whenwill we get there?'

‘I'mso bored.'

‘Lastnight was great. I hope my wife doesn't suspect anything.'

Who were these people?He could hear them as clear as he could hear Elizabeth's continuous questions.He tried to open his eyes, but he found he could not. He collapsed to theground kneeling over in pain, his hands never leaving his head. To Elizabeth,it looked like he felt his head was splitting into two pieces.

‘What? Lucas? Stop!What's wrong?!' Elizabeth was screaming now too, on her knees, grabbing hisarms, trying to get him to look at her. ‘Lucas! Tell me!'

‘I … the voices! Can't …stop … hearing …'

She looked around andnoticed a large wagon moving closer. As it slowly approached, the driver of thewagon stared at Lucas and looked concerned. He stopped the wagon, hopped offand began to run over to them. As the driver came over, Elizabeth noticedpeople looking out of the back of the wagon. More people came running over tosee what the commotion was all about.

‘Thatis them, the Lost Son and that girl.'

The dark, harsh voicesent a shiver down Lucas's spine. Before anyone reached them, he grabbedElizabeth and pulled her close.

‘Don't trust any ofthem. One knows who we are.' Before he could say more, another sharp pain shotinto his head.

‘So,you can hear my thoughts. Well, I can hear yours.'

Lucas looked back up andsaw a group of four men behind the driver. One of the men had an evil smirk onhis face, causing Lucas to realise this was the face of an enemy.

‘Ican hear you too.'

Lucas stared at him andfound his eyes were completely black. He had no pupils, not even an eyeball. Itwas all just black, as if Death itself was staring at him directly in the face.Small streams of black steam seemed to seep out of his eyes, but no one elseseemed to notice.

‘Whatare you?' Lucas asked the man in his mind, the answer already dawning onhim.

‘Yourdeath,' it replied slowly.

The driver had nowfinally reached the pair. ‘What's wrong?' He stared at Lucas who had now curledinto a little ball. He was trying not to scream, but he could not help it.

Elizabeth was stilltrying to help him. She turned to the man and replied, ‘I don't know, he juststarted screaming. He is … he is sick. He gets terrible migraines. I think thatis what's happening.'

‘How do you know it'sthat?!' the man asked, now yelling over Lucas.

‘His father warned me itmight happen!' she yelled back.

‘How can I help?'

‘I don't know,'Elizabeth whispered, looking around.

As quick as it begun,the screams finally came to a stop as Lucas started to go quiet. He stillstayed in a ball, but eventually after a few moments, he passed out. Elizabethlooked at him in horror, leaning down to feel his pulse. The man was staring ather, then to Lucas, then back to Elizabeth.

‘What was that?'

‘I don't know. He hasnever done that before,' she replied, turning back to the man.

Realisation of thestrangers she was surrounded by and Lucas' warning of an enemy nearby began toflash in her mind. Quickly thinking up a story, she continued delicately,'Passing out, I mean. Thank you for stopping. I need to get him home to hisfather.'

‘Where are you heading?'the man asked innocently.

‘Home.'

‘Where is your home?'

‘In a village.'

The man frowned at her.‘What village?'

‘One not far from here.'

‘Do you want a ride?'

She smiled at him. ‘No,thank you. I will let him rest for a few moments then try to wake him. If not,I will carry him. I am use to it.'

The creepy man looked ather and spoke to the driver. ‘Earl, we can't leave him here. We can take themwith us to Stelipse.'

‘I know and agree,Alan.' He turned to Elizabeth and said, ‘I think you should come with us.'

Turning back to the man,she smiled and apologised, ‘I am sorry, but we shall not travel with you. I donot wish to burden you, nor would my friend. We will be fine here for now.'

Earl stared down at Lucasand frowned. ‘I'm just sorry I couldn't help him. I guess it's better now thathe is …' He never finished his sentence. His face fell as he leapt up andstarted pulling Elizabeth up to her own feet.

‘Run! Come on!'

‘Wait! Why? What aboutmy friend?'

‘Leave him!'

‘What? No way! What'swrong?'

Before he would answer,Earl turned and ran off fast. The other three were on their feet and runningjust as quickly as Earl was. Alan ran but came to a quick stop. It was onlywhen he looked back that Elizabeth finally noticed his black eyes. There was nowhite in them at all, black steam slowly rising out of them. As Alan jumpedback onto the wagon, they were off.

I cannot believe it, shethought to herself. What just happened?First Lucas and then wagon man? Could that be...no, it can't have been...couldit?

Elizabeth turned to thedirection the man Earl was originally looking towards. She did not see anythingat first and then she finally found the source of the other men’s fears. Thesame thing that made them all flee in horror; the thing that she assumed shewould never see in her lifetime.

At first she thought itwas a human's head, but it was impossible. It is as tall as the trees, shethought to herself. It would have to becountless humans standing on each other. No one was that tall.

All of a sudden, anotherhead appeared, followed by another and another. There were now four of them andElizabeth stayed very still, too petrified to move. She noticed they lookedlike they were searching for something … or someone.

She looked down at Lucaswithout moving her head and found he was still out cold. Slowly, she moved herbody lower and put her hand to his mouth and nose and felt the small gasp ofbreath escaping his body. She tried shaking him, but he did not wake. Shewanted to yell at him, or even slap him awake, but she was too scared to doanything.

The next minute happenedso fast. One of the tall humans finally noticed Elizabeth and, smiling warmlyin her direction, he began to move towards her. For the tall man it was only afew steps, though it would have taken Elizabeth at least a two minute run tokeep up. The man was as tall as ten people were and as wide as at least six.She could not be exactly sure how tall he was. She looked up as he kneeled downto her. His face was now right in front of her, down on her level, a warm smilecovering his face.

‘Hello.'

His voice bellowedloudly across the field as he spoke. She stared at him, petrified. So, thismust be a giant, she thought. He had friendly, sky blue eyes and light brownhair with a dark brown beard that covered his chin. His face was as large asshe was tall. His clothing looked very close in style and colour to what Lucaswas wearing, which made Elizabeth wonder who had made it first, the giants orthe centaurs? The giant had a pale, light brown shirt on with brown pants andshe could instantly picture Lucas wearing the same clothes, and with the samebeard.

‘Hello …' she replied,unable to stop herself from shaking as she responded.

‘Are you all right? Ishe hurt?' the giant asked as he looked down at Lucas and studied theunconscious body.

‘I … I don't know.' Sheforgot all about her fear and turned back to Lucas. ‘He just started screaming.Something about voices. He has never done this before.'

The giant touched Lucaswith his fingertip. All of a sudden, he looked up at the sky, shock taking overfrom the warm, welcoming gleam of his eyes.

‘Hop into my hand,little one.'

‘What?' Elizabeth askedin horror. The giant just stared into the horizon in silence and

Elizabeth turned in timeto see a black dot starting to move closer very fast and getting very big.

‘It is Lord Barback'sdragon. It is hunting, but not for food.' The giant held out his hand. ‘Hop on.I will take you somewhere safe.'

Elizabeth did not seeshe had a choice. Either she stayed and if the dragon was searching for Lucasand her, she was in trouble, or she went with the giant, but she had no ideawho he was allied with.

‘What about Lucas?' Shelooked at his still unconscious body. She was not going to leave him until hewoke up. They were both vulnerable.

The giant picked upLucas gently and placed him in his hand. Elizabeth leaped on and sat next toLucas's limp body. The giant raised his hand and Elizabeth watched as theground flew away from her. In the next instant, they were across the field andthe other giants were now with them. The giant holding Elizabeth nodded hishead in the dragon's direction. They all nodded and moved quickly. They werenot heading towards Stelipse but in the opposite direction and for every fiveor so steps the giants took, it was more walking distance for the smaller duoto retrace.

Eventually, they reachedthe edge of a small cliff and as Elizabeth looked down, all she could see was alarge lake, surrounded by small rose bushes. Small lavender patches werescattered around the lake, the smell of the two flowers blending together inthe air to create a beautiful fragrance. Elizabeth was confused. Why would thegiants come near the water? They could not swim or breathe underwater.

As the dragon movedcloser, one giant quickly descended into the water. As he went in, the waterrippled, but she could not see any of the giant's body or shape in the wateritself - no reflection, no dark shape. When the next went in, it was exactlythe same until finally, the last giant stepped in. Only the giant holding Lucasand Elizabeth remained, who was still looking in the direction of the dragon.Staring down into his hand, he smiled and started descending into the strangewater.

As they began todescend, Elizabeth started to panic. She moved to take off her shell necklaceto place on Lucas, yet strangely, when the water touched her skin, it was notwet. When she was completely submerged, she found that she was in a large,beautiful valley, stretching as far as she could see. She looked up and noticedthe strange, wavy water above, blending with the sunny blue sky.

It is an illusion toprotect their home, she thought to herself. She looked down and staring at thevalley, gasped in shock. There were tall, circular huts that were bigger thanthe giants themselves. It was like the buildings that housed humans of hersize, yet these were big enough to house the giants. It was magnificent.

The circular homes weremade from brick, different huts with different colors. Enormous red and palebrown brick huts filled the valley. Each roof was made from what she believedto be straw and as they moved closer, she realised it was in fact that on theroof. The doors were wooden, with gold, circular hoops as door handles and thewindows were covered in beautiful silk fabric used as curtains that blew in thegentle wind. The green grass stretched out in front of them, moving past thevillage, and Elizabeth noticed a small field with a small lake just furtherahead.

There were giantsroaming everywhere, children of all ages, men and women. There were families;there were lovers. She had never seen anything so beautiful and peaceful.

The giant carrying Lucasand her walked to one of the smaller huts, entering and shutting the doorbehind him. He lowered his hand to one of the tables in his small home andElizabeth hopped off. He gently lowered Lucas second and as Elizabeth continuedto look around, she did not notice the giant gently placing the amulet backunder Lucas's shirt. When she did realise Lucas was next to her, Elizabethgrabbed onto him instantly. The giant walked over to his window and pulled thecurtain across, ensuring total privacy.

Elizabeth looked aroundat the room. On one side of the house, a bed laid, a complete mess not havingbeen made that morning. One ruffled pillow was on the floor, the other sherealised was buried under the massive brown bedsheet. On the other side of theroom was the table which Elizabeth stood on and in front of her was a largechair. The giant walked over and sat down, a smile on his face.

As he spoke, it wasstrangely soft for such a large, powerful man. ‘I am sorry, but I had nochoice. If I left you and it was you the creature was searching for, it wouldhave ended very badly.'

‘It's okay,' Elizabethreplied, smiling back at him.

‘My name is Charles,'the giant greeted her.

‘I'm Elizabeth. And thisis Lucas,' she added, placing her hand on Lucas, looking at him at the sametime. ‘How did you know it was hunting for someone?'

‘Well, first I was toldby some loyal friends,' he replied with a smile. 'Second, it is because LordBarback's dragon never flies far from the castle unless it has been sent tosearch for someone. I don't know who it was searching for.'

‘I do.'

Charles looked atElizabeth and understood. ‘You are safe here, Elizabeth.'

She smiled up at him.‘Thank you. Your home … your land … it's beautiful. I could not believe thesky.'

‘Yes, it is a presentfrom the king of the merpeople. Long ago, he gave it to us for our protection.You can only enter if you are a friend of the giants. If not, you will justfall into water. It was an ancient magic they used, from the time when themerpeople and elves were friends, before they parted ways over the fight forreign over magical folk.'

Elizabeth went quiet andCharles stared at her with curiosity. ‘Young one, you seem to know the tale?'

‘Yes, I have heard of itthough I do not believe it. I know … an elf of sorts. He is the nicest person Ihave ever met. I couldn't imagine why anyone would hate him.'

‘That may be, butwhatever differences between your two species do not involve us. How is yourfriend?'

Elizabeth looked atLucas. He was still unconscious, but at least he was still breathing. She couldnot understand what had happened, but she had a slight guess.

‘I think … I think hemay have discovered a new ability. See, Lucas and I … well, we are not likeothers. We have powers, though they are different for both of us.'

‘Ah …' Charleswhispered, looking down at Lucas. ‘It seems that this boy may be somethingmore.'

‘I think he is. He hasalready shown two different powers I know of. He seems to have telekinesis andfire manipulation. I think he may have showed he has a new ability -telepathy.'

‘The ability to listento others thoughts?' Charles looked at her with curiosity and awe.

‘Interesting.'

‘Yes. He was saying hecould hear voices in his head. I have … I know that merpeople can communicateunder the water through telepathy. I have never seen it above water.'

‘You merpeople do notsee what you do not wish to see.'

Elizabeth looked at himquietly. ‘When did you realise what I am?'

‘I figured it out whenyou flinched when we were entering the water. I noticed your necklace and sawyou move to take it off. I would assume you were giving it to your friend?'

‘Yes.' She looked downat Lucas. She brushed away the hair covering his face and she looked up atCharles, her eyes filled with determination as she whispered, ‘He can neverknow.'

‘He will not hear itfrom me. However, I will give you some advice. The truth always comes out andit is better from you than someone else.' He looked down towards Lucas. ‘So,you believe he has telepathy as well as telekinesis. That would make sense asthose two powers are both connected to the mind. The fire manipulation though?I have never heard of an elf with more than one power.'

Elizabeth looked atCharles in awe again. ‘You assume he is an elf?'

He smiled at her. ‘Youmentioned knowing an elf, and then you spoke of the boy's powers. It was notthat difficult to put together. I just wonder …'

‘Wonder what?'

‘What your fascinationis with the young one.' Elizabeth blushed as he continued, ‘Once again, yoursecret is safe. You know the law, however. Merpeople and elves cannot betogether.'

‘He is not an elf -well, not fully. He is half elf, half human. We can be.' She stopped and staredat him. ‘Hang on a second. Why am I telling you all of this?' She was shocked torealise she had been revealing too much information.

‘I have that type ofpersonality.' Charles smiled at her, shrugging his shoulders. ‘Honestly, I haveno idea. You seem to trust me, which is quite understandable. We giants are nota dangerous kind. We are a caring and loving group. What you talk about betweenthese walls stays between us.' He turned to Lucas. ‘If your friend is half elf,then that may be why he has more than one power. He may even have more than youhave seen.'

With that, Lucas startedto murmur and move. Elizabeth turned to him.

‘Lucas?' she whispered,rubbing his arm gently as he stirred. ‘Can you hear me?'

Charles stood up andmoved to grab a small saucer. He put five drops of water on it and walked overto them. Elizabeth looked into it and saw for her that it was like a smallbath. She ripped a piece of the bottom of Lucas's shirt off and dipped it intothe water, slowly patting his head with it.

Lucas opened his eyesslowly and stared at her. His eyes looked tired, heavy purple bags sittingunder them, making him look like he had not slept in days. ‘Hey.' He spokesoftly and slowly, his eyes constantly closing as if he was awaken from a deepsleep. ‘What happened?'

‘You tell me. Youstarted freaking out and screaming about voices.'

‘I … I don't remember.'He had started to drift off again but fought to stay awake. ‘I can't …'

‘It's okay. I think youwere starting to discover another talent. I think you may have telepathy. Youpicked up the thoughts of the people. You told me to watch out for one of thepeople in the wagon.'

‘In the what?' he askedin confusion. He looked around the room, trying to understand where he was andhow he had arrived there.

‘One of the people inthe wagon. He had black eyes - cold, dead, black eyes.'

Lucas tried to thinkback on what had happened. Slowly the memories of the day begun to return him:the walk to Stelipse, the voices in his head, the arrival of the wagon and theman with the cold, dead eyes.

‘Yeah, I think Iremember something …' Lucas mumbled, rubbing his eyes as he slowly sat up.

‘What man are you twotalking about?'

Lucas jumped at thevoice. He turned around, looking at his surroundings and realising where hewas. He stared wide-eyed and white faced at the massive house he was in.Leaning in to Elizabeth, he whispered, ‘Did we shrink?'

‘No, you have not,' camea soft chuckle. Charles had sat back down in the chair and Lucas turned to lookat him, his eyes widening with shock. ‘Do not fret little one. I am a friend.You are safe and you must rest.'

‘I hit my head harderthan I thought,' Lucas mumbled to himself, rubbing his head.

‘Lucas …' Elizabethbegan as Lucas turned back to face her. His face was pale white again.

‘Lucas, if this istelepathy, then we have to leave until you control this. First rest and then wecan leave tomorrow.'

‘You needn't have to,'Charles smiled down at the pair. ‘We giants can block our thoughts fromtelepaths. We can help Lucas adapt. I can also try to help him unlock his otherpowers. He will need them.'

‘Okay.' Elizabeth smiledand she looked back at Lucas. ‘You just rest. You need to sleep. Trust me, youlook like hell. Please.'

Lucas nodded very slowlyand as he lay back down and drifted off, he grabbed her hand. She squeezed itback until he fell asleep and let go.

Charles rose from thechair and walked over to a chest of drawers near his bed. From the top shelf,he took out two massive handkerchiefs. He folded one up so that Elizabeth andLucas could use it as a bed and, walking back to the table, Charles gentlylifted Lucas and placed him on the homemade bed as Elizabeth hopped on as well.The second handkerchief was used as a blanket, covering both of them nice andwarmly. Elizabeth looked towards the window and out of a small gap in betweenthe curtains, she found that the sun had set.

‘Sleep now, little one,'Charles whispered warmly. ‘Rest up and tomorrow we shall talk some more.'

And with that, Elizabethlay back, shut her eyes and drifted off.

* * *

When Lucas awoke a short time later, Elizabeth was still fastasleep. Charles the giant was sitting on his bed, reading a large brown,leather book. He raised his head up, staring at the window before turning tolook at Lucas, seemingly analysing him. Lucas only stared back at him with thesame expression.

Lucas sat up straightand asked the giant in a polite voice, ‘I'm sorry about before. Can I ask whoyou are?'

‘My name is Charles,'the giant nodded at him in reply. ‘I am the voice of the giants. I assume youare the Lost Son.'

‘How did you know that?'Lucas looked at him, untrusting of the man in front of him.

‘Your amulet,' the giantanswered. ‘When I carried you, it fell out. I placed it back under your shirt.'

Lucas felt underneathhis clothes for the amulet before pulling back the top of his shirt and lookinginside. It is still there. He sighedin relief. He looked back to Charles and nodded, his eyes filled withsuspicion. ‘Why did you help us?'

‘I had my reasons.'

‘And they are?'

‘Your safety for one,'the giant answered in the same cool tone. ‘You are the one destined to freeBomcard from Lord Barback's evil. I will teach you to harness your powers andthen you can continue to the elves.'

‘How did you …?' Helooked at Elizabeth in shock, replaceing his answer at the sleeping figure.

‘Do not blame her. Shesaid nothing of your destination. You are the Lost Son and thus I realised thatis where you are heading. The elves will help you replace your course to take.'

‘How did you know wherewe were?'

‘I'm sorry?' Charlesasked in confusion.

‘You heard me.'

‘You can trust me.'

Lucas stared at him. ‘Idon't know you.'

‘Very well then,'Charles replied sadly. ‘I will be honest with you, if you only give me the samecourtesy. I did not know exactly where you two were at that moment, but I wasinformed by my friends, Marrett and Neomi, the fairies, of your visit with thecentaurs. They informed me that you were on your way to Stelipse and our valleyis on the way to the town. We were waiting for you.'

Lucas only sat there,quietly staring at him, his arms folded across his chest, as Charles continued,‘I only knew that the guards were searching for a boy and girl travellingtogether, not of your importance. The fairies told me nothing about thesituation except that you had to be protected at all costs, as a favour tothem. When Lord Barback unleashed his dragon, I knew time was running out.'

Lucas continued to stareat him in silence. Charles looked at him, confused. ‘Is being honest not goodenough?'

Lucas did not reply andCharles shot him an uncharacteristic dark look, ‘You need to be more trusting.'

‘I don't know you,'Lucas repeated, unable to help himself. ‘I don't know anyone here and peoplewant to kill me. How am I supposed to trust strangers?' He looked over atElizabeth. ‘Within a few hours of knowing Elizabeth, something felt …different. I could trust her. I have never trusted anyone as much as I trusther, not even my friends or even Linda back home.'

‘Who is …?' Charlesstarted.

Lucas did not hear himand continued, oblivious to the interruption. ‘And people want me to trustthem? How can I? How do I know that people will not continue to try to kill me?How do I know she will not make an attempt? I just came here and I do notunderstand why people want to kill me. You all want this Barback person dead,yet everyone seems to want me dead too. I do not want to be any lost person. Idon't know why … why I'm …'

He could not go onanymore. He placed his head on his knees and covered his head with his arms. Hehated what was happening. A few days ago, he was … well, he was human. Now, hehad people wanting to kill him as he ran around in a strange, new world toprevent evil from spreading. How am I supposed to be king, he thought, when Ican't even believe in myself?

‘Young one …' Charlesspoke softly.

‘Lucas,' he mumbled fromunderneath his arms, remaining completely still.

‘Lucas,' Charlescorrected himself, ‘you are a weird child.'

Lucas could not help butlet out a little chuckle. He looked up and saw Charles smiling down at him. Hiswarm smile made Lucas feel calm and at home. There was no evil or hate in hiskind eyes - only love, forgiveness and peace.

‘Firstly, you trustedElizabeth because you found a kindred spirit. Someone who feels like they donot belong in this world any more than you do. You do not belong in Bomcardeither. I will not be surprised if you return one day to your real home world.

‘Secondly, you are oneof a kind. People and magical folk are both terrified and inspired by you.There has never been a half-blood in any species at all. Humans and othercreatures are best known to destroy what they are most afraid of.

‘Thirdly, Lord Barbackknows you are the only one who will be able to stand against him. He will sendmen to harm you, to attempt to stop you by any means necessary. You must alsoremember that you have powerful allies on your side as well, those who wouldfight with you to the death, like young Elizabeth here. They will protect youas best as they can, laying down their lives for your own.

‘You do have the powerand the strength to defeat Lord Barback inside you. You need only to learn.'

Lucas smiled and Charlessmiled back warmly at him.

‘There is work to dobefore you are ready. It is not something that people can expect you to be ableto do already. Your powers will need to be learned, to be controlled; yourfighting abilities as well. You will reach your destiny. You need only time.'

‘Do you know who thatman was? The one with the black eyes?'

‘I did not see him.Describe him.'

‘Well, he looked human,but his eyes were … well, pure black. I didn't see any white or other colour inthem.'

‘Did this man have blacksteam seeping out of his eyes?'

‘Yes.'

‘I believe that you meta spirit,' Charles answered.

‘A spirit?'

‘Yes, a spirit. A spiritis a dead human or creature's soul. It had possessed the body of the man youmet. Their eyes change when they have been caught off guard. They mostly keepto themselves.'

‘I could hear it. It waslooking for me.'

Charles looked at him inshock. ‘Looking for you?' He went quiet, staring out towards the window, lostin his own thoughts. ‘It seems he has plans involving some spirits.'

‘I thought they weresupposed to work for him?'

Charles shook his head,turning back to Lucas. ‘No, not for him but with him and only when he needsthem. Every other time he keeps most of them locked up. They are his slaves.'

‘They're dead though, socan't they like, escape or something? Float through the walls?'

‘Barback is a sorcerer.He has them locked in a dungeon where they cannot escape. Spirits sticktogether. They will work with him to ensure the safety of the rest.'

‘So, what do we do now?'

‘Now you go back tosleep. You will need all your rest. Tomorrow, we shall discover what powers youhave.'

‘I'm sorry about the wayI spoke,' Lucas apologised to the giant. 'About breaking down.'

‘It is quite fine,'Charles replied warmly. 'I do not mind.'

Lucas turned to go backto sleep and could continue to feel Charles's eyes on him, even as he finally driftedoff. Even as he fell asleep, the giant stared at him, pain in his eyes as herealised the burden Lucas was under was slowly becoming heavier.