Chapter 2

The next day he caught the train and this time he brought The Book with him hoping its magic might help manifest the girl again. He had to admit she’d been on his mind as all these things seemed connected since he’d brought The Book. He opened the next page and continued to read:

‘We force an issue before it is ready
Universal powers cannot help
This simply introduces a delay
Meet the lightning halfway’

Again this seemed to be talking to him, it was incredibly pertinent. Had he tried to force an issue and use The Book to make something happen? Yes he had. Now it seemed somewhat silly and he closed The Book dejected. He felt berated. He knew now that she would not be there, this is not how it worked and his mood slumped. Sure enough it was the same time, same place but the platform was empty. The flow of events before had been like a magic carpet ride. He chastised himself for trying to push things. Without the magic flow his life suddenly felt flat and empty.
Still, now he thought about it, the magic had not completely deserted him. The Book had spoken to him of his exact situation even if it had been to warn him. Stopping and sitting on the nearest bench he pulled out The Book again and wondered what was next. He read:

‘Do you
a) Ignore that magic exists and doggedly continue a heavy
handed approach to life
b) Take the advice on board but allow your mood to sink as you
feel like the magic has gone
c) Quickly learn the lesson and inwardly shake off feelings of
despondency forgive yourself and adopt a cheerful happy and
open disposition’

Ok, now he was getting somewhere, The Book was still there for him, but how was he going to change his mood? It seemed an impossible challenge. He forced a smile. It was a start he thought. At that moment on the platform opposite a train pulled away revealing a billboard featuring a giant unicorn. The text underneath read, ‘It’s only a myth until you make it true.’

***

His smile became genuine and a sense of wonder returned as he buoyantly packed away The Book and continued his journey to work. Then, out of nowhere the magic rhythm returned to him and he started tapping out the beat. At the same time he could hear a beautiful haunting melody, it was like nothing he’d ever heard before and perfectly married with the rhythm. He had to remember it, but would he still be able to recall it after a day at work? Now caught on the horns of a dilemma he had to weigh up the importance of returning home to record the melody, or risk losing it and keeping his commitment to work.

Sometimes you have to break a promise and then deal with the consequences he thought, this opportunity was too good to miss. Surely work would understand. What is more, he instinctively felt he was being asked to believe in his choice and be happy about it no matter what the outcome. He made up his mind and cheerfully returned to the platform to wait for the return train. While he waited he hummed the otherworldly haunting melody.

***

It didn’t take long to commit the melody to memory using his guitar. Somehow playing it made sense of the exotic beat and unlocked the clear, hypnotic rhythm and not the chaos that he initially found so disturbing. This really was the most fantastic piece of music he’d ever written. It was like the rhythm was alive and was teaching him. He couldn’t explain it. He put the guitar down and went to make some tea.
Two things immediately sprang to mind; the first was that he couldn’t wait to meet the Drum Wizard again and play him the complimentary new melody, and secondly he was going to have to ring work and explain his absence. Straight away this last thought started to drain his energy. He poured the tea and wondered how much longer he should postpone the telephone call. Remembering The Book’s advice he forced a smile and decided to act, seize the moment and phone work. Better get it over and done with he thought, and dialled the number.
“Yes, how can I help?” an irritated voice snapped.
“Look I don’t know how to say this, I’m very sorry but something has come up and I’ve decided not to come in to work today.”
The truth, he thought, why did he say the truth! and he immediately felt vulnerable and stupid.
“You are joking, we are snowed under because of you! Everyone is going to have to do overtime and they’re really annoyed. All because you decided not to turn up! That’s the last straw. You just don’t feel like not coming in. Don’t bother coming back, I need someone who I can rely on,” and hung up. The receiver went dead.

In the silence he was left with a horrible feeling in the pit of his stomach, like the rug had been pulled out from under his whole life. What about the rent, food, bills, everything?! He couldn’t even attempt a false smile and wondered what on earth he’d done. He had to do something. An article he’d read on cold water showers flashed into his mind and how they helped to clear energies. Why not, he thought, it can’t be worse than the lifeless feeling that had now descended upon him. Feeling annoyed with himself and annoyed with life he turned the shower to cold, took off his clothes and got in. A few moments later he burst out and let out a mighty roar.
Feeling invigorated he sat down with the cup of tea. The mood had shifted. Wow he thought, that cold water really worked, he felt rejuvenated. The Book, the girl, the music, the magic. It was real and yet so unusual. He decided that although it had hurt and he’d felt vulnerable he’d made the right choice after all. Putting down his empty cup he decided to go for a walk. Grabbing his coat he was out of the door and onto the street not knowing which way to go next.

***

As he closed the front door it began to rain. For some reason this suited his mood and he strode off in the direction of the park as the canopy of trees afforded more protection from the rain. He wandered aimlessly for some time, hoping for guidance or a breakthrough with his situation. He was feeling at a loss and he could sense indecision and doubt returning. The rain was getting heavier when he saw the unusually shaped spire in the distance high above the rooftops. The church he thought, he’d head for the church, at least that was a direction he could take. Perhaps it would be open and he could sit in his favourite spot. He set off as the sky darkened and soon arrived at the lychgate. He hurried through past the old yew trees and into the ancient sanctuary of the church and out of the rain.

The Way of St James the Apostle, an unusual name for a church he’d always thought. He pushed the door and it creaked open. A cool atmosphere greeted his senses and the peaceful ambience washed over him. He walked to the Lady Chapel and sat on the stone seat in the alcove at the back, a place he knew well, his favourite.
He’d been there for a short while when he noticed something he’d never seen before on the floor, a space that had previously been covered. It was a large slate slab with a carving of a knight on his knees praying, holding a sword that was half buried in the ground. On his shield was a cross and on his breast was the insignia of the order of St James. Around the edge was a beautifully intricate pattern that was so cunningly designed there was no telling where it began or how it was constructed. It seemed to stand out and for some reason it really spoke to him. If felt familiar. Looking up he listened, and that was when he heard the melody on the wind.

***

The sound of the rain tapping on the church roof, the faint creaking of the yew trees and like something from a dream the haunting voice echoing through time floated and reverberated around the church. It was a female voice, timeless, enchanting, casting a spell on the building itself. He was taken back in time and a vision appeared before his eyes; a solemn procession of knights carrying a coffin with a sword resting on the top being carried into the church. Priestesses were singing, leading the way. They lowered the dead knight into the ground where the slate carving now lay. A beautiful woman then picked up the sword from the coffin and proceeded to walk directly towards where he sat in the alcove. Transfixed he could not move. She got closer and closer and then with sword in hand she walked right through him and disappeared into the wall behind. At that exact moment the vision was shattered by a tremendous clap of thunder; the whole church filled with a blinding flash of light as a bolt of lightning struck the church. The building shook and there was a shattering sound from somewhere inside that sounded like a shower of broken glass fragments hitting the floor.

***

He sat stunned and alone in the darkness for a long while listening to the rain. Thunder rumbled overhead, his mind curiously empty and his senses acute and alive. Eventually he collected himself together and headed for the door. The haunting melody of the priestesses still seeming to be gently reverberating around the church. He had no idea if it was real or if he was remembering a part of the vision. As he silently walked to the entrance the melody was getting louder. It was then that he noticed the silhouette of a person in the porch, they hadn’t heard him yet. Just then his foot made a sound and startled the person who turned around. He found himself gazing into the eyes of the girl from the station who instantly stopped singing.

“That lightning, it shook the whole building!” he said.
“It shook my whole body!” she replied.
They both laughed with the relief at the incredible power of the experience.
“And your singing, that was special.”
“Gosh you caught me off guard, I don’t normally like people to hear me.”
“I was sheltering from the rain in the Lady Chapel and your voice had the most amazing effect on me,” he said, remembering the vision.
“Oh what was that then?” she enquired.
“I had this really intense vision. It was as if I was back in time, long, long ago in the early days of this church. I saw an ancient order of holy knights bury their leader. There were priestesses chanting the melody you were singing, or so it seemed. And I know this sounds silly, but the high priestess picked up the sword that was on top of the coffin and proceeded to walk right through the wall in the alcove at the back of the Lady Chapel. It was as if I was really there watching something that had happened.”
“Wow, that’s incredible! I knew there was something special about that melody,” she said, “it came to me the other day when I was parked outside the barn just down the lane. I came here to sing it into the church as the acoustics here are amazing.”
“Unbelievable,” he said, shaking his head putting together the events of the last few days in his mind. He realised what had happened and explained to her all about the magical rhythm and the Drum Wizard.
“So it’s like we’ve both been enchanted by this music. It feels very special, I’d love to know more about it.”
“Why don’t you come along to the next practice. It’s at 6pm at the barn on the next full moon.”
“Very mysterious, I love it!” she smiled, “look I’ve got to dash. I’ll see you there.”
Pulling up her hood she turned around and hurried off into the rain. Thunder rumbled ominously overhead.
When was the full moon he thought.

***

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Continues in Chapter 3…