Charon Unguarded (Ferryman Saga Book 1) Page 13

  CHAPTER 21

  The Tea Leaves

  Charon wasn’t sure who had called the ambulance, but nor did he much care. It couldn’t have been Zeus as his call had not connected. He had left an angry message, demanding that Zeus call him back, dropping the phone on to the floor just as it screeched to a halt outside his house, sirens blaring. Looking down, he noticed blood on the screen. Was that his? The noise stopped but he could make out the flicker of lights reflected on what was left of the paint round the door. Hermes had left it open when he fled. The back of his head throbbed and he felt sick. What had Hermes hit him with? Whatever it was, he had lost nearly forty minutes. There was no way he could make chase now.

  As he tried to pull himself off the floor to the sofa two paramedics rushed in with oxygen and a pack of supplies. He tried to wave them away but a familiar voice cut into their questions.

  ‘Now, Mr Charon, if I am not mistaken you are quite as stubborn as your friend.’

  ‘You?’ It sounded like the nurse from the other evening, but he couldn’t tell.

  ‘Me, what? Just you listen to what these good people are saying and let them do their job. I will put the kettle on for some sweet tea. Lord knows, you look like you could do with a cup. I know I could.’

  Charon pointed vaguely at the kitchen and the blurred shape of the nurse moved away. What was going on? The paramedics were busily checking his responses and asking him questions about who and where he was. Did they know what he was? This wasn’t the first time he’d been injured. The last time he’d been hurt like this was during the eighth century. Waking up in a monastery which had just been raided by Vikings had not been a pleasant experience. Then there was the whole thing with the Inquisition. He shuddered. What would they do to someone like him now? He knew why the Fae were so antsy about being ‘discovered’. If the mortals found out they had gods living among them, what would they do?

  The nurse came back carrying a tray holding four mugs of steaming hot tea. This was an achievement on its own as he didn’t recall owning a tea tray, least of all one covered in pink peonies. He certainly didn’t remember owning the matching mugs. The paramedics, who had now finished their checks, took the tea and issued thanks to the nurse as they made their way back outside.

  ‘I’m right here. You can tell me what’s wrong.’

  ‘Indeed, you are but that can wait for the moment. You and I need to have a little chat, Mr Charon.’

  ‘We do?’

  ‘We do.’ Her voice was warm but firm. She clearly felt she knew something he didn’t. ‘Don’t worry about them. They don’t ask questions or spread little stories either.’ She sat down beside him and settled the tray between them on the sofa.

  ‘Fine. I don’t suppose your bag of tricks holds something strong enough to make my head less painful? Elephant tranquilisers, for instance.’

  She laughed. ‘That can wait. I need you clear-headed for this. And drink your tea.’

  ‘Why, what’s in it?’

  ‘Milk and sugar. What else?’

  ‘Forgive me, but last time I came across humans who knew what I was, it didn’t end well.’ He took a sip. It was remarkably good considering the only milk he had was probably on the turn. There was something very odd about her.

  ‘Your caution is wise. Now. Down to business. When was the last time you saw Robin Goodfellow?’

  ‘That snot-nosed barman? About a week ago. Why?’

  ‘He was found this morning. Decapitated.’ The blandness of her tone shocked him more than what she had said. It was so matter-of-fact. As if this was just one of those things that comes up in polite conversation.

  ‘He what!’

  ‘He was found behind the pub he worked at. The owner found him. Head four foot from his body. Blood everywhere …’

  ‘Yes, yes, I don’t need all the gory details. What does this have to do with me?’

  ‘You were seen on a security tape having an, shall we say, ‘animated’ discussion with the deceased.’

  ‘Ah.’ Charon saw the point. ‘In case you didn’t notice, it wasn’t me, having the ‘animated discussion’. Hermes was the one giving him grief. I was trying to break up the fight.’

  ‘I’m not interested in that right now. My point is that there was no sound on the tape and I need to know what Robin said.’

  ‘Why?’ Charon asked. Not out of concern for himself, but for Robin. Duplicitous little twerp that he was, nobody deserved to die like that.

  ‘Because, Charon, what he said to you two is probably what got him killed. The Fae--’

  ‘They exiled him. Why do they care?’ Charon growled. ‘They were the reason Robin turned spy. One too many practical jokes and you’re out. No wonder he was angry. They’d liked practical jokes well enough when the joke was not on them.’

  ‘The Fae care very much. Even those they have exiled come under some sort of protection. He was still one of them and they are livid. Never seen them so angry. Or so worried. They reckon your sniffing around and interference is what caused it and will not hesitate to make you pay.’

  ‘Just you hang on a bloody minute! Let me get this straight. None of this was my idea. I found out something … something big. I did my bit. I passed on the message. I haven’t told the Council which, by the way, is probably going to end up getting me into even more trouble when I get found out. I’ve been sent here, there, and bloody everywhere as some sort of messenger. I discovered that my best mate not only tried to land me in it, but is in this up to his eyebrows, and now I am on the hook for the death of an exiled faery who wouldn’t be dead had the Fae bothered to get their hands dirty and stop something before it started. They knew what was going on. They just didn’t want to get involved.’

  ‘That’s pretty much it, yes.’

  Charon sighed and scrubbed his face with his hands. ‘Hermes just went mad … dragged him—’

  ‘I know that. What did he say?’

  ‘Something about the giants planning to betray the Titans … Look I’m not sure I should be telling you this. How do I know you didn’t have something to do with it?’

  ‘Short answer? You don’t.’

  ‘So why should I tell you anything?’

  ‘Good point but let me ask you a question. Why, if I wanted to harm you, would I have just helped you?’

  ‘You sent the ambulance? How did you even--’

  ‘That doesn’t matter. I am not your enemy,’ the nurse said. ‘I need to know. If the Fae catch up with you, before I can fill them in on a few things, a bump on the noggin will be the least of your worries.’

  ‘Oh yeah? And what happens if whoever deprived Robin of his ‘noggin’ comes looking for me because I spoke to you?’ Charon ground his teeth and found himself gripping his mug so tightly it might break. He loosened his grip.

  ‘Another good question, but not one I can answer. At least not now. Now is not the time for that. You have caused quite the stir. Your display with Zoë was not the least of the troubles I have had to tidy up.’

  ‘You knew about that? I thought Wadjet ...?

  ‘You think a goddess of her standing can’t delegate?’ She sighed. ‘Look. It’s complicated. Put simply, I’m neither one of you, nor one of ‘us’.’

  ‘Some might say you’re both.’

  ‘Hmm, that’s nice of you, but it puts me at the bottom of a very long pecking list.’

  ‘Trust me, I know the feeling,’ Charon grumbled. What choice did he have? ‘Fine.’

  ‘Good? You were saying about the Giants and the Titans?’

  ‘That’s all he said. Oh, and he hinted that Hermes couldn’t be trusted, which to be fair, turned out to be true.’

  ‘Really? In what sense?’

  ‘In the sense that he released the Titans, tried to recruit me, and when I turned his offer down, he tried to take my head off. If you ask me, there’s your suspect.’

  ‘That would certainly seem to be the case.’ She swirled her cup, considered the bottom, and paused.
She shook her head and put the cup down on the tray, took Charon’s from him, and did the same. After a few moments of silence, she put the other cup back on the tray. ‘Both interesting and unfortunate.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘We are at a crossroads, Charon. These events are very rare but they do happen and this time they appear to centre on you.’

  ‘What! Why?’

  ‘The why is not important. What matters is the what for? I cannot say what you must do because both outcomes will have dire consequences. It is not my place to influence you.’ She stood up to leave. Out of habit, Charon stood too.

  ‘And they are? Or can’t you tell me that either?’

  ‘Mr Charon, while you have things you cannot tell me ...’

  The room went cold. This had gone far enough and Charon was sick of the secrecy. ‘Tell me!’ He hadn’t meant to do ‘the voice’ and the glowing eyes, but the woman was trying his patience. He had a job to do and she was not helping. ‘Sorry, but you have questioned me. Now I need information from you.’

  ‘Oh, very well, but I don’t take kindly to being spoken to like that,’ she snapped. ‘The first possible outcome is not a happy one. If the gods cannot set aside their differences and mistrust, the Titans and the giants will rid themselves of their ancient enemies, but then turn on each other. There will be no Ragnarök. No renewal. They will consume the earth and everything in it.’

  That would put a crimp in Ra’s plans, thought Charon, but it would explain Zoë’s reaction. The poor girl had all that in her head? No wonder she was terrified. Charon cleared his throat ‘And the second?’

  ‘This is not so certain. It shows a battle and a victory, but not a final one. It is not Ragnarök, though many will believe it is. The rest, is not clear. There will be blood and loss in both cases, Charon, and I fear you have yet more to lose.’

  CHAPTER 22

  The Unexpected Guest

  Shortly after the nurse had left there was a knock at the door. Charon didn’t answer. Maybe if he ignored them, they would take a hint. He wasn’t in the mood for any more guests. Whatever it was could wait until he’d had some sleep. There it was again, but more persistently this time. Go away. He just wanted some peace and quiet. Was that too much to ask? Clearly it was. The persistent knocking turned into a very adamant pounding which was rattling the windows either side, and Charon suspected that ignoring it any more would result in a lack of a front door. Whoever it was pounded again.

  ‘Alright! I’m coming! Do you know what bloody time it is? Some of us need to work in the—’ He opened the door to be met by the jovial face of Erick. In full battle dress.

  ‘Odin wants to see you. I was told to bring you directly.’

  ‘What, now?’

  ‘No, next week. Yes now!’

  Charon sighed. ‘Fine. You’d better come in.’ He stalked back into the house to find his keys and coat.

  Erick followed him and let out a long, low whistle. ‘What happened here?’

  ‘Hermes happened.’ Charon had found his coat and was in the process of patting down pockets in search of his phone and keys. He found his phone on the floor where the paramedics had treated his cuts and bumps. It was smeared with blood and the screen was scratched but it worked. The bowl he normally kept his keys in was in pieces on the floor but he couldn’t see where they had landed. He knelt to peer under the side table. They were at the back.

  ‘Hermes? The guy who was with you the other night?’ Erick leaned on his axe.

  ‘That’s him.’ Charon reached behind the unit, trying to hook his keys with a wire coat hanger.

  ‘I thought you two were friends.’

  ‘So … ah, bugger!’ A metallic jingle signalled that they had slipped further out of reach ‘So did I, up until tonight. As it turns out, I am not such a good judge of character. I probably should have seen it coming. Once a trickster, always a trickster, and the thing about Hermes … is that he has … always acted out of calculated self-interest.’

  ‘I was sent to find you as you had vanished. Odin was worried. It seems that events have moved on.’

  ‘Yes – Ah ha!’ He stood up, keys in hand. ‘That’s certainly one way of putting it. Another way would be to say that Hermes has dropped us all in the midden.’

  ‘Well, whatever it is, it must be serious. Your eyes are doing that blue glowy thing.’

  ‘It’s a long story. I’ll explain on the way. Let’s get moving.’

  * * *

  It hadn’t taken long to get there, thanks largely to Erick’s motorbike and sidecar. What he hadn’t expected was the colour. Canary yellow wasn’t on the top of the list of colours that Charon understood to be ‘unlikely to draw undue attention’ but at three o’clock in the morning, very few people were likely to notice them. He’d been handed a battered old helm with a nose piece. Charon had to ride pillion because the sidecar was currently occupied by more weapons than two people could possibly need.

  As they pulled up outside the old factory, Odin was waiting for them, grim-faced, and with a full retinue of guards behind him. His one blue eye bore into Charon. ‘You took your time.’

  So much for a keeping a low profile. What he said was ‘Yes, well. If you’ll give me a moment to recover from Erick’s driving, I’ll explain.’

  ‘You’ll speak to me with some respect—’

  ‘I’m not here through my own volition. You summoned me, remember? So you’ll listen to what I have to say. This will take a while so I suggest we go inside.’

  It took about an hour to explain what had happened since their last meeting. He described the encounter with Zoë. He told him that Zeus had tried to cover his own tracks with the Council just to hold on to his position. He told them what the Dragon had said about Zeus being unable to defeat the Titans alone which is why they had been imprisoned. He told them about the meeting when he returned which had descended into chaos.

  ‘Is that all?’ Odin asked.

  ‘All? I don’t think there is an ‘all’ that I could possibly explain. But no. That is not ‘all’. I thought it was until tonight. There is no easy way to say this but Hermes was working under Loki. He let the Ice Giants out and convinced Hermes that if he got the Titans out and on side, there would be a golden handshake in there for him.’

  ‘But why would Loki do this?’ Odin asked, confused.

  ‘Why do you think? He wants to go home and he thinks that this is the way to do it. What he doesn’t realise is that the Ice Giants have no intention of playing by his rules,’ Charon said. He wondered if they knew about Robin Goodfellow. Never mind … he’d chance it if only to see the look on their faces.

  ‘What you mean ‘play by his rules’?’ A voice from the crowd piped up. He couldn’t be sure but the voice sounded female.

  ‘Based on what Robin told us the other night, the Giants intend to not only betray the Titans, but the people who let them out too.’ He followed this with an unspoken statement, but what I hadn’t taken on board at the time were Robin’s hints that Hermes was involved. Should he tell them what the nurse said too?

  ‘Did Robin actually say that Loki was involved?’ Odin asked suspiciously.

  ‘No.’ Now is the time. Taking a deep breath, he stilled himself for the onslaught of questions that would follow. ‘But what Robin knew lost him his head!’ Dead Fae can spill no secrets. ‘There is also the little fact that I saw Loki and Hermes discussing what they have done in an alley not four hours ago. When I confronted Hermes and refused to join him he tried to kill me.’

  The crowd gasped and Charon heard whispering. They don’t believe me. They think this is going to go away if they ignore it for long enough. As the attention was no longer on him, Charon stood and walked towards the fire for extra warmth. He couldn’t leave now. Not until he had convinced them that the danger was real. Charon knew that Odin didn’t trust him. Not fully. Even though it had been Odin who had warned him of the danger and asked his employee to visit Zeus and tell him what
was going on. What is it about gods that makes them incapable of trusting any judgement but their own? For centuries, even before they were thrown from their own worlds by Yahweh, they had been beset by infighting and squabbles. The fighting and feuding had been replaced by a sullen silence between all of them, but nothing had ever been resolved. The old animosity had been shut away and locked up, waiting for an opportunity to burst out. And here it was, under their very noses and orchestrated by two minor deities who were so sick of the restrictions placed upon them by life in the mortal world they were willing to destroy everything just to go home.

  ‘How do we know that you refused to join Hermes?’ Odin asked. ‘We have only your word and you are not one of us. Hermes is your friend, so why would you turn from him?’

  ‘Because I am not psychotic, that’s why!’ Charon snapped. He calmed himself. ‘I know what the Titans are capable of. I wouldn’t trust them to hold up their end of a bargain with a God any more than I would trust Zeus’s final words.’ The Norse were old but they had not been there when Zeus and Poseidon had been unable to defeat them so incarcerated them instead. Why would they be? They had their own troubles with the Ice Giants at the time. It was also unlikely that either the Giants or the Titans would willingly go back into their boxes and play nicely. ‘I know better than to trust any of them,’ Charon said, calmer now. ‘I should have known better than to put Hermes’ persuasion to stay out of it down to concern for my well-being. That is my mistake and something I will have to live with. Whatever Hermes was, he was not my friend.’

  ‘That is maybe,’ Odin said, ‘but your loyalties must be with your own people. You are Greek. Whatever your connection to us in the past, that fact remains.’

  ‘Ahh,’ Charon said, ‘so this goes back to Hel, does it?’ He should have known this would come up. ‘May I remind you that it is she who left me? And before you ask, no, I do not know where she is.’

  ‘I do not think you can be entirely objective in this instance. After deep consideration, I think I had better approach Zeus myself. I trust you can arrange this Charon. Again, I would like to keep the Council out of this.’