The Dark Amulet Collection

Chapter 15

The next morning Sasha was summoned to confront the family upstairs while they breakfasted. Beth had bound his knee so that he could walk without the aid of a stick, but he still favoured it. Heart hammering, he climbed the polished staircase. He had never been up to the first floor and he was overawed by the richness of the dark wood panelling and the portraits that seem to glower at him as he passed below them.

By the time he reached the top of the staircase, his knee was hurting and he was using the bannister to pull up as much of his weight as he could. He waited a few moments to compose himself before stepping forward to knock on the dining room door.

“Enter,” came Sheldrake’s voice.

Sasha tried to read what emotion tinged the single word but couldn’t. It was neither angry nor welcoming.

Sasha opened the door and stepped in to stand at the foot of the table. The whole room seemed to glare as light from the window reflected off the blindingly white table cloth and bright, silver cutlery. Sheldrake, Maud and Jayhan put down their knives and forks and turned to look at him. Unsure what to do, he bowed to them. He realised his legs were trembling as he put his hands behind his back and waited.

This is it then. They are going to send me on my way. I’m just a big pest. I put all those people out last night. Six people wasted their evening to look for me. Tears sprang to his eyes. Oh what an i***t I am! Such a nice place; almost a home. And now I’ve ruined it. I’m not going to beg, though. He took a deep breath and quelled his tears. I will just thank them for all they’ve done for me and leave.

This is it then. They are going to send me on my way. I’m just a big pest. I put all those people out last night. Six people wasted their evening to look for me. Oh what an i***t I am! Such a nice place; almost a home. And now I’ve ruined it. I’m not going to beg, though. I will just thank them for all they’ve done for me and leave.“Good morning, Sasha,” said Maud in a cool voice.

Sasha nodded his head in her direction. “Good morning, Madam.” Madam, not Ma’am, he thought bitterly. I learnt that mistake.

Madam, not Ma’am, . I learnt that mistake.“You are more respectful this morning, young man,” she said, appraising him. “I thought you said a person was the same person, no matter what shape they took.”

“Yes Madam. We are the same people as yesterday but in different roles today.”

Maud gave her head a slight shake and murmured, “Such acumen in one so young,” She looked across at Sheldrake. “I believe you have some questions?”

Sheldrake cleared his throat. “I understand, Sasha… that is, Jayhan has told me, I hope you don’t mind, that you wear an amulet around your neck that you have had from birth and that gives you some protection. Is that correct?”

Instinctively Sasha’s hand flew up to cover the place where the amulet lay against his thin chest. “Yes sir.”

“Perhaps Jayhan has mentioned to you that I am an authority on such things and have many in my possession.”

“Your pardon, but I do not wish to sell it, sir.”

Sheldrake gave a slight smile. “That is well, because I do not wish to buy it.”

Sasha looked panic-stricken but stayed silent. If Sheldrake decided to take it from him before turning him away there was nothing he could do about it.

Sheldrake frowned. “Do you think so poorly of me, lad? I would not force it from you. But I would feel honoured if you would trust me enough to show it to me. I might even be able to tell you more about it than you know yourself.”

Sasha hesitated only for a moment before pulling the chain from around his neck and handing over the amulet. “I believe it is from the Eastern Plains near the Darkstone Mountains, sir, and bears my family’s symbol of a fire tree…” He sent a baleful glare at Jayhan. “but I may be wrong.”

Sheldrake glanced at Sasha then Jayhan but said nothing, dropping his eyes to the smooth, black amulet in his hand. “Hmm. Interesting… and beautiful. You are right. This is a symbol of power that is carved into it.” He looked up and gave Sasha a surprisingly understanding smile. “I don’t think it is a fire tree, however. I think the triangle represents birth, life and death but the line through the middle? I am not sure. I need to research it. Do you mind if I copy this symbol or perhaps keep your amulet for a few days?”

Sasha swallowed. “You may keep it for a short time, although it is my protection, but I must have it back before I go away… sir.”

“What? You’re leaving us?” demanded Sheldrake. “Jayhan wasn’t that unkind to you, was he? I thought you two were friends again.”

“No, he wasn’t. Yes, we are. I mean…” Sasha’s throat ached with unshed tears. I won’t let them see me cry. I won’t. “I thought you called me up here to send me away.” There! He had said it and blast it all! Now he was crying. “I’m sorry,” he mumbled, sniffing furiously.

I won’t let them see me cry. I won’t. was. “Oh for goodness sake!” exclaimed Maud, getting up and coming around the table She put her arm around his shoulder and led him to the table. “Where’s Rose? Get this boy a cup of tea. Sit down, Sasha. Here. Have a napkin. Of course we’re not sending you away. Oh dear! We must have seemed like judge and jury to you, you poor boy.”

Sasha nodded and hid his face in the napkin, unable to shut the floodgates that he had kept so firmly locked. Finally, the thought of how annoyed Rose would be at having to serve him a cup of tea tickled his sense of humour enough to dam the tide. To everyone’s surprise, when he raised his head he was grinning. He gave a final sniff and put aside his damp serviette.

“So, was Rose cross?” he asked, as he sipped his tea.

Maud frowned in recollection. “Now that you mention it, she did seem to flounce out of the room.”

Sasha gave a satisfied little chuckle and took another sip of his tea.

“So Sasha, do you feel up to continuing our conversation?” asked Sheldrake, helping himself to a now cold slice of toast. “Toast?” he offered as an afterthought.

“Yes please,” Sasha took a slice from the toast holder and placed it on the plate near him. Sheldrake handed him the butter and jam as he finished with them. “And yes, especially if it’s not about me leaving.”

Sheldrake took a bite of jam-laden toast, then setting down the remainder, steepled his fingers. Once he had finished chewing, he asked, “So Sasha, how did you know that the bloodhound was Maud? Most, in fact all, of the people I know cannot see through a shape-shifting. Did you just deduce it must be her because we don’t usually have a bloodhound and despite what you said, you really did know that Maud is a shape-shifter?”

allSasha’s little body stiffened and his eyes glittered. “I am not a liar, sir.”

“No need to get huffy. After all, you yourself admitted last night that you would lie to protect Jayhan.”

He relaxed a little. “That’s not the same at all, sir. I might lie to protect someone. I wouldn’t lie to make myself seem cleverer than I am.”

Sheldrake nodded slowly. “I see. A nice distinction. So the question still remains; how did you know the bloodhound was Maud?”

There was a lengthy pause as Sasha was munching a piece of toast. He swallowed as fast as he could, nearly choking himself. “Whoops! Sorry sir. I just knew it was Maud. To me, it’s the same as seeing you in a different suit on a different day. You’re still the same person underneath.”

“But you acted differently with my wife?”

Sasha gave a little smile. “So did she. Now it’s back to usual.” He thought for a moment. “I guess it’s like fancy dress. When you’re in fancy dress, you act the part and people around you join in. Then tomorrow it’s back to normal.” Sasha c****d his head. “Does that help?”

“It makes it clear how it seems to you but not how you do it. But I suspect you don’t know how,” replied Sheldrake. “However, whether you understand it or not, the ability to see through shape-shifting and disguises would be very valuable to me.”

“Now Sheldrake,” remonstrated Maud, wagging a finger at him. “Don’t you go involving this little one in your nefarious doings. He is too young and innocent.”

Sheldrake appeared shocked. “Really Maud! I wouldn’t put the child in danger. I would arrange things so that he could see the people in disguise without them seeing him. Regardless of whether I use him, I think we should do some training and experimenting in the meantime. If Sasha is agreeable, of course.” He turned to the stable boy. “Would you like to join Jayhan in his magic studies, Sasha? While he studies with his tutor in the morning, you can fulfil your duties around the stables then meet us in the afternoon at my workshop. What do you think?”

Sasha looked from Sheldrake to Jayhan, who gave an excited nod. He turned back to Sheldrake, his dark eyes shining. “I would be honoured, sir…. I hope I’m worth your time. I will try my very best.”

Sheldrake gave one of his rare smiles. “You are already worth the effort, whether you realise it or not.”