SEVENTEEN THE WELL
SEVENTEEN
THE WELL
I ’m sitting cross-legged alone in a corner of the Fishtank at the Seven Angels.
My phone rests in my hand. I’ve just sent off messages to Lily and Jack, wishing them luck on the open day and making sure they don’t have too much fun at college without me.
Lily’s quick thank you comes in, accompanied by her curiosity about how the rest of my weekend with Tariq went.
Jack, on the other hand, responds with a Spider-Man GIF giving the middle finger.
Being away from college today is a relief, even though I usually enjoy the company of my friends.
I need this time to focus on training, to delve deeper into understanding my role as a Keeper, and to prepare myself for whatever challenges might arise, especially if the Guild is investigating Draven.
Nathaniel had asked me to meet him at the Seven Angels, to start clearing my mind and honing my concentration. Challenging, when all I can think about is Tariq. And that kiss.
We didn’t get a chance to talk about it this morning.
By the time I was awake, he was dressed.
He mumbled something about seeing me tonight and then left.
Was he avoiding the conversation? Or maybe he just wanted to get back to his and get ready for his Munchrider shift.
One day I hope I see him in that little orange vest.
Maybe the kiss meant nothing to him. Maybe he just felt he needed to give me something in return for the shell I gave him – which I didn’t see this morning when I was getting changed, so he must have taken it. That must mean something, right?
‘Ah, Liam, you’re here. Good.’
Nathaniel enters the Fishtank, his appearance notably different from what I’m used to. Gone are the formal clothes, replaced by dark green cargo trousers and a white T-shirt. The change makes him look remarkably younger.
‘Have you had a chance to clear your head?’
‘I think so,’ I say.
‘Well, in that case, let’s begin. You can stay seated for now,’ he says, and I stop my move to rise. ‘Today we’re going to be focusing on your abilities.’
He walks over to a rack in the corner of the training room and selects a long wooden pole. Twisting it deftly in his hands, he returns to my side.
‘As the Auctus Keeper, you possess enhanced physical powers that surpass those of an average human. Increased strength, speed, dexterity, and senses.’
‘Senses,’ I repeat quietly, recalling last night’s overwhelming sensation during that unexpected kiss with Tariq.
‘Ah, so you’ve experienced this?’
I nod. ‘Yes, just once, though.’
‘Once is enough, young man. Not all Keepers can access the full extent of their abilities. Take Tariq, for instance; he can manipulate all the elements except for earth. Opel can move objects with her mind, but is unable to read the minds of others.’
‘Will they learn these eventually?’
‘Perhaps in time. But they may spend their entire Keeperhood without unlocking them.’
‘So, it’s a good thing that I can tap into all my powers?’
‘Well, it means you have a lot more training ahead to harness them all effectively, but yes, it’s a positive sign. Few Keepers can claim they’ve encountered all their abilities within a week of becoming one. Your body is readily adapting to these gifts.’
If only my body had adapted to puberty the same way, I may have a few more hairs on my chest by now. Even a little stubble on my chin wouldn’t go amiss. I’m going to be ID’d well into my forties with this babyface.
‘Let’s start by exploring your most prominent ability – your strength – while on your feet,’ he instructs, stamping the staff twice in quick succession.
I get up, sliding my phone to one side.
‘Now, take the other end.’
I comply, feeling the weighty, smooth surface of the staff in my grip. Why do I get the feeling this isn’t going to be like my little arm-wrestle with Tariq?
‘I’ll hold the other end,’ he adds.
We stand facing each other, each holding one end of the two-metre-long staff.
‘Now, push with all your might. Your goal is to drive me against the wall behind me.’
I nod and close my eyes. Bracing myself, I push forward.
I wobble slightly.
Nathaniel has adjusted his stance, but he hasn’t moved back an inch. I gather my strength and push harder, clenching the staff between both hands.
‘Come on, Liam. Push!’
I keep pushing but stop as the first bead of sweat trickles down my forehead.
‘No offence, Nathaniel, but you’re a bigger guy than me.’
‘I’ll choose to ignore that,’ he says with a glare. ‘Your strength isn’t tied to your body size, age, or muscle mass. Your abilities amplify.’
I push again, and Nathaniel retreats by half a foot, no more.
‘You’re exerting too much effort, Liam.’
I stop. ‘I don’t get it. I can’t seem to make it work unless I’m…’
‘Afraid? Angry?’
I nod.
‘That’s what you must overcome. Your powers are a part of you, an extension of yourself. Like your hands, they should be readily available when you need them. Emotions can be harnessed, but don’t let them overwhelm you, or your control over your powers will falter.’
Nathaniel taps the pole and assumes a stance.
‘Let’s try once more, but this time, keep your mind clear. Let your seresberi stone ground you.’
I give it another shot, but the results are unchanged. My grip falters, and the pole clatters to the ground.
‘I can’t seem to get this right,’ I say, moving away and resting against the wall. My breathing is fogging up the glass.
Nathaniel places the staff on the floor and steps toward me. A hand rests on my shoulder.
‘Let me take you somewhere that may help you.’
I’ve never been inside Old Sarum’s central plateau – it’s the part of the heritage site you have to pay to enter.
The surrounding grounds are free to roam and the outer ring has a decent enough view of the entire city.
Lily has offered Jack and me discounted entry to the ruins, but neither of us has taken her up on it.
I’m glad she’s preoccupied at college today and not working the gift shop; the last thing I’d want is to explain to her what I’m doing here on my day off with a strange older man.
Nathaniel leads me across the footbridge toward the entrance. Glancing over the edge into the grassy ravine below, I seize an opportunity to slow down. Nathaniel may be older than me, but he pretty much marched us here in the twenty minutes from the Seven Angels.
I’m still catching my breath as he speaks to a man in the ticket booth. A family pass by us, their toddler crying from a scrape on their knee.
Lily told me she’s forever warning families not to let their children climb on the ruins. And for that reason.
‘This way, Liam,’ Nathaniel says, leading the way up through the gates.
I follow, glancing briefly at the man in the booth. He’s Lily’s manager, but he was at the Guild meeting last night and sat in the row just behind me, Tariq, and Opel.
I guess Nathaniel has wangled free entry for himself and the new Keeper on the block.
Thankfully, the partially grey day has put many off coming up to the ruins today. Apart from a couple walking around in the far distance, I can’t see anyone else up here.
Nathaniel leads me up some stone steps and we emerge onto the wooden deck.
I was wrong, this is an even better view of the city.
It’s sprawled out before us – a painting come to life.
The spire of the cathedral dominates the skyline, overshadowing the quaint city below it.
Beyond the old cottages and Victorian buildings are rivers and fields divided by roads and hedgerows.
‘Impressive, isn’t it?’ Nathaniel says. ‘Follow me.’
We continue around the ruins until we end up in the centre of the site. Ancient stone walls and pillars surround us. Nathaniel stops in front of a large, round hole in the ground, covered by a rusty grate.
‘Do you know what this is?’ he says.
‘An old well?’
Nathaniel pauses for a moment, studying me slightly. ‘Yes, it is a well, but it also marks the central point of the Crossing.’
‘So, all those lines… they meet in this spot?’
‘Precisely. Do you remember what I told you about the magic users who created the original Keepers?’
‘They harnessed the Crossing’s energy to create the Keepers’ abilities.’
‘Correct, Liam. Your powers are connected to the Crossing.’
Down the well there’s only darkness.
‘So, by bringing me here…’
‘It will help you become attuned to your abilities. Kneel, close your eyes.’
The couple I saw before are nowhere to be seen. I know what I need to do is important, but I don’t want to look like a complete weirdo, looking as though I’m praying to the god of… wells.
‘We’re alone, Liam, no need to feel self-conscious,’ Nathaniel says, gesturing to the ground.
I kneel. The grass is a little damp. I take a breath and close my eyes.
‘Now, clear your mind.’
‘This isn’t the part where you tell me there’s light and darkness, and to find a balance is it?’ I jest, opening one eye.
Nathaniel stares at me blankly.
‘Sorry, not the time…’ I say, closing my eyes once again.
‘I own the entire Star Wars Steelbook 4K collection,’ Nathaniel says.
‘Shut up!’ I say, now focusing on him alone. ‘It’s like hundreds of pounds.’
‘I got it second-hand on eBay, I managed to bid just—’
Nathaniel stops, shaking his head.
‘Sorry, we’ve got sidetracked,’ he continues. ‘Let’s remain focused.’
‘Right.’ I resume my position, eyes closed.
A minute passes and Nathaniel speaks again.
‘Describe what happens when you attempt to use your powers.’
I shrug. ‘I’m not sure. There’s a surge of heat, but it dissipates quickly.’
‘Identify where that heat originates. Keep your eyes closed.’
I trace my fingers to the centre of my chest. ‘Here, mostly.’
‘Imagine that heat as gas when you turn on a burner. Without a spark, the gas merely dissipates over time.’
‘So, I’m the spark?’
‘Exactly. You can’t merely release the gas and hope for ignition. You must ignite it intentionally.’
Not a bad analogy, I must admit.
‘Now, I’d like you to tap into your senses. Tell me what you hear, what you can feel.’
Okay, let’s do this. I exhale.
‘Find the heat. Ignite it.’ Nathaniel’s voice guides me.
It’s quiet where we are; I haven’t heard anything since we came to this spot, aside from a few birds chirping nearby.
I listen intently. I let the blades of grass graze through my fingers.
The next moments seem to blur together. There’s a surge inside me.
It intensifies. Sounds begin to fill my ears.
‘There’s a phone ringing in the visitor centre,’ I say.
‘What else?’ Nathaniel encourages.
‘Children are laughing in the park. I can feel… vibrations. There’s a lorry coming along the main road.’
‘Well done, Liam.’
‘Wait, the vibrations. It’s not the lorry. It’s…’
I open my eyes and lean over, peering down the well.
‘Liam?’ Nathaniel says.
I stare down into the dark. The vibrations pulse through my body. There’s a harsh grinding noise. Yellow eyes break through the darkness.
‘I can see it,’ I say, breathless.
‘See what, Liam?’
They stare back at me, but I can’t pull myself back. It’s as if they’ve tethered me to the well, willing me down.
The grinding sound grows, and I throw my hands over my ears. It doesn’t help.
‘Liam, stop. Come away,’ Nathaniel calls.
But before I can take in his words, there’s movement. A large ashen hand with pointed nails rises through the darkness toward me. I throw myself back and the grey sky above engulfs me. My heart races. But the sound has gone. The vibrations have stopped.
Nathaniel is at my side.
‘What happened, Liam? What did you see?’
I explain as he pulls me up from the floor. I take a seat on one of the lower ruined walls while Nathaniel inspects the well.
‘I don’t see anything,’ he says, tugging on the grate.
‘There was something down there. And it wanted out.’
‘And you’re sure it was the same eyes as before?’ Nathaniel takes a seat beside me.
‘Positive. But why just me? Why am I the one seeing whatever this thing is?’
‘I’m not sure, but we will find out. In the meantime, I suggest you don’t tap into your senses. Focus on your other abilities, for now.’
I nod. ‘I found the spark at least.’
‘That you did,’ Nathaniel says, giving me a forced smile.
He’s worried. I can tell. I haven’t known him long, but his face adopts this half-frown, and he rubs his beard more roughly.
There’s a part of me that hopes the Guild finds out something soon about Draven, and if it is linked to whatever this thing is I keep seeing. But on the other end of that, if they keep digging, Draven will come after me.
I better keep working on my training, because either way, I’m going to need to be ready.