Wraith(17)

While back in my flat the muscles of my physical body tightened and my breath quickened, my shadow bounded upwards, springing along the bindweed as if wholly entangled and yet still entirely fluid. Stirling Castle isn’t a single entity but a collection of buildings of all shapes and sizes, so I could dart from dark walls to their even darker corners. There were many windows dotted around, light wastefully shining forth from each one, but they were easy to avoid. With night finally in full swing and the moon half-covered by cloud, my journey became easier as I continued. I might have been sweating back at home but my shadow was making short work of the castle’s defences. At least until I reached the Inner Close and the King’s Old Building loomed in front of me.

I took a moment to compose myself. The hardest part in physical terms was now behind me but the hardest part in real terms was ahead. By pausing, I allowed both of my forms to recoup some strength and energy. If I were eating more healthily and more regularly this would have been less of a problem. I’d have cursed about it if it would have done me any good but even little Becky knew that whining never served anyone. Put up, shut up or be strung up. Simple as.





Chapter Five


When I felt ready, I began my final ascent. By now I was fully enveloped by the night, wrapped in darkness and totally safe. I knew the dangers of over-confidence but, given that my approach so far had been so easy, I was buoyed with optimism. It seemed like luck was actually on my side.

My shadow flitted up to a window on the third floor. Like virtually all the others, dangerous light shone out as if warding me off. I stretched up to the right-hand side of the window frame and peeped in.

The hallway was empty. Of course, that didn’t mean it would remain so and I was cautious enough to wait in order to judge the level of passing foot traffic. After several seconds and with no sign of anyone – Dark Elf, goblin or even house spider – I reshaped my hand and nudged open the window. Then, like smoke, I slid inside.

I wasn’t sure what I’d been expecting – perhaps an alarm or a battalion of goblins with swinging swords to round the corner – but nothing changed. The brightly lit hallway remained silent and the only patch of darkness in it was me. I had to get to somewhere even darker fast.

With more speed than I’d achieved so far, I sped towards the closed door at the far end of the hallway. In one fluid movement, I threw myself down and slid under the gap at the bottom.

Fortunately the room was unoccupied; even better, it was both windowless and dark. There wasn’t so much as a single flickering candle, so I could look around with ease. When in shadow form like this, I can see just as well in darkness as my physical body can see in bright sunlight.

If I’d been hoping to find a handy sheet of paper explaining who the Dark Elf was and why he was here, I was sadly disappointed. There was nothing apart from old boxes and towering bundles of old clothes. Even the abandoned fireplace with its faint dusting of soot seemed to sigh in despair. Perhaps I’d stumbled across the goblins’ dress-up room, which was only used in happier times. I smiled at the thought of some of the stouter and swarthier Filits swinging feather boas and wearing pretty diamond tiaras then I flitted to other door at right-hand side. A chink of light was just visible from underneath it. By the looks of things it was another hallway and, just as before, there didn’t appear to be anyone wandering down it.

I pushed through the tiny gap underneath the door and emerged at the other side. This corridor was as brightly illuminated as the previous one but the stone floor boasted a less shabby rug, indicating that it was used more frequently. There were more doors leading off it, several of which were open. The clatter and murmur of voices could be heard from further down and the risk I was putting myself into increased exponentially.

I edged my way forward more slowly. There were some alcoves where I could hide if needs be; I paused at each one in case someone suddenly appeared. My luck was holding. I could do this.

I was about halfway along when one of the doors ahead of me suddenly swung open and two goblins appeared. Barely registering one male and one female form, I flung myself backwards, darting into the nearest recess and narrowly avoiding knocking over an ugly vase on a pedestal. There were no shouts or gasps so I’d obviously avoided detection. Praying that they’d choose to walk in the other direction, I made my shadow as small as possible, merging into the shadow cast by the pedestal and vase.

It was just as well that I did; the goblins’ voices grew louder as they walked towards me. The silhouette I’d created wasn’t perfect – the other shadows I’d joined myself with were too angular for that. If the goblins stared long enough, they’d realise that something was wrong. I reminded myself that the chances of that happening were miniscule; unless this pair was literally jumping at shadows, I’d probably be alright.

‘I don’t see what gives him the right,’ muttered the female goblin. ‘Striding around as if he owns the place. We should have told him to fuck off from the outset.’

‘It’s only for a day or two longer,’ her companion soothed. ‘And we needed to placate the Prime Minister. Ghrashbreg said that the Scottish government was becoming quite insistent that we do more to end the siege.’

There was a loud, nasal snort that sounded similar to my plumbing when the pipes were nearly empty. ‘James has no jurisdiction over Stirling. He can’t do a thing.’