Family Heirloom Challenge: "Familiae Spiritu" -- by Hazel West

Familiae Spiritu

By Hazel B. West

 

 

It was a curious thing, Jonathan thought, how it always seemed to rain at funerals. Perhaps it was how mother nature showed her own respect for the dead. Either way, it was cold and miserably gloomy, not the least of which because he was standing over his grandfather’s grave.

            Only last week Jonathan Harrington had been called back from school, requested for his grandfather’s failing health and soon after, the man had passed on, leaving a legacy and a large house, not to mention a large fortune.

            Jonathan didn’t care about the inheritance. He had just wanted to see his grandfather one last time, be able to talk to him. But even that had been impossible, for the old man hadn’t woken before he died, passing on before Jonathan could properly say goodbye. He knew that as far as the inheritance went, his father or uncle would get the house, anyway. He just missed his grandfather. Memories of his childhood, sitting on the weathered man’s knee as he was regaled with stories of the elder’s adventures that now, looking back at it, Jonathan found a little hard to believe, but to the lonely boy, they were like precious gold and had turned Jonathan toward his own current studies in archelogy and anthropology. 

            As the attendees started to peel away to dryer and warmer surroundings, Jonathan found himself to be the only one left at the grave, aside from the grave diggers filling in the hole that would bury his grandfather. At least he thought they were the only other ones there until he looked up and saw a figure standing a little bit away, likely having been lingering at the back of the crowd.

            Jonathan frowned as he tried to place the man. He wore a dark mackintosh with the collar pulled high, and his hat pulled low so Jonathan couldn’t see his face, but he didn’t recognize him at all. Perhaps he was a distant relative. He couldn’t quite shake the feeling that the man was watching him though.

            A cold drop of water found its way into Jonathan’s collar and slid down his neck, making him shiver. He took a deep breath and turned away from the strange man, back to his grandfather’s grave. He gave a small salute and pulled his sodden wool coat more firmly around him and, frozen hands shoved into his pockets, he moved to join the rest of the family inside before his mother sent someone to fetch him. He turned back one last time, compelled to look at the strange man again, but found that he was gone as if he had never been there in the first place.

            The reading of his grandfather’s will would occur that evening and Jonathan wished he could be anywhere else. The last way he wanted to remember his beloved grandfather was by watching his surviving relations glare daggers and plot murder when they found out they weren’t getting the inheritance they thought they would. He half considered making up some excuse that he urgently needed to get back to school but the thought of that appealed to him even less, especially since all that awaited him there was Harry Cosworth and his goons. Jonathan’s ribs still hurt from their last encounter and he had only been lucky enough that the fading bruise on his temple could be hidden by his hair. No, call him a coward, he’d fought tooth and nail, but one could only do so much when outnumbered five to one. He didn’t think even his grandfather could have bested those odds, despite what he liked to say in his stories.

            The day was just as insufferable as Jonathan had expected. Aunt Claudia was already inebriated and only continued to get more so as the afternoon went on. Jonathan tried to retreat to the library only to find Cousin Adeline and her current suitor using the room for far too much contact. Jonathan wondered if all families were this ridiculous.

            But as soon as dinner was served and consumed, they all returned to the parlor where the family solicitor read out his grandfather’s will.

            Jonathan stood at the back of the room, hands shoved into his pockets as he leaned against the wall, trying to seem as inconspicuous as possible. 

            Thus went the usual proceedings. The allotted cash read out and the snippy comments from distant and not-so-distant relatives both. The estate would go to the eldest son, Jonathan’s father.

            But it was what happened at the end of the reading that surprised him. Granted, he’d been a little surprised that nothing had been bequeathed to him. He didn’t take it personally, but still…perhaps he was set to inherit the estate from his father instead. That would be well enough for him.

            Still, he couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed that there hadn’t been a little nick-knack, some memento of his grandfather.

            However, as the others filed out of the room, most grumbling, the solicitor came over to where Jonathan was standing against the wall.

            “Master Jonathan, I apologize for not mentioning you in the reading, but your grandfather specifically asked me to give you this in confidence.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. “He was very firm in the fact that only you should have this. I believe it meant a lot to him.”

            Jonathan took the box and opened it.

            He was shocked to see a very familiar ring hiding inside. Never once had he seen his grandfather without it. It was gold and had a beautifully cut emerald in the center, which Jonathan had constantly run his finger over as a child while sitting on his grandfather’s lap, listening to stories of his archeological adventures. A lump formed in his throat and he was forced to close the box and sequester it away in his pocket.

            “Thank you,” he whispered to the solicitor.

The man smiled, squeezed his shoulder, and went to the smoking room where the other men had gathered.

Jonathan didn’t follow, choosing to go upstairs to his room, exhausted and not wanting to see anyone else. 

He slid his coat off and hung it over a chair before reaching into the pocket and pulling out the box. He sat down on the bed and opened it again, this time taking the ring out and running it between his fingers.

An inscription on the inside of the band caught his eye and he held it closer to the lamp to read it.

“Familiae spiritu,” he murmured. Latin for ‘family spirit’. He’d never seen that before as the ring had always been on his grandfather’s finger. A little bit of an odd inscription. It was not the family crest or anything and his grandfather had never said anything about this ring being a family heirloom. Still, it was something that had been a very constant part of his grandfather and Jonathan was incredibly glad to have it.

            A full body weariness washed over him both from the day and knowing he would have to return to school tomorrow. He quickly finished dressing for bed and lay down, glancing at the ring one more time before he left it on the side table, blowing the candle out.

***

Jonathan wasn’t sure what woke him but it was dark when he opened his eyes. He had the strangest feeling that he was being watched.

            He glanced around the room and…

            There! By his bed, a dark figure looming over him!

            Jonathan scrambled upright with a choked cry, reaching for matches on his side table.

            “Who’s there?” he demanded.

            He struck a match as his shaking hand brought the candle to life, he saw only an empty room illuminated around him. He sat there for a long moment, panting as he fought to still his heartbeat.

            Just a dream then, a nightmare. It must have been, he decided, setting the candle down as he sank back into the pillows. He turned onto his side and saw the ring in the open box. For some reason a chill washed over the back of his neck, but he chocked it up to the old, drafty house. He was not going to be reading any more gothic novels in the near future, that was for sure. He swiftly closed the ring box and blew the candle out, pulling the covers over his head as he listened to the still pattering rain outside.

***

The next day, Jonathan woke early, feeling not very well rested, and packed his bag before grabbing a quick breakfast and hurriedly bidding his parents goodbye before having the coachman drive him to the train station.

            It was an hour’s ride to the university and Jonathan felt the resigned knot form in his stomach as he got off the train at the station.

            It’s not that he was bad at school, he was actually quite consistent in his marks, and he enjoyed studying in his field of research, it was just that he didn’t really have any friends, and, actually, quite a few enemies. The only person who really seemed to like him was the headmaster’s daughter, Elizabeth. Thinking of her now brought a slight blush to Jonathan’s cheeks. Of course, they could do little more than wish each other good morning. It was hardly proper for her to talk to any of the students.

            He had put his grandfather’s ring on that morning and ran his thumb over the familiar stone. It gave him a little confidence, perhaps enough to face Harry Cosworth and his lackeys.

            Jonathan greeted the prefect on his way to drop off his stuff in the dormitory, then went to pick up the assignments that he had missed while he had been gone. He spent the rest of the day playing catch-up.

            That night, he again woke inexplicably and was certain he saw someone standing by his bed. He only barely managed to hold back a cry—he’d never hear the end of it if he woke up half the dormitory. But as he blinked several times, he saw nothing out of the ordinary.

            Why was he seeing stuff now? He’d never been like that before. A vague thought of his grandfather haunting him came to mind, but that was ridiculous. He was too old to believe in such tales and superstitions.

            And yet, two days later, he got a letter that left him in shock.

            His mother wrote to tell him that the night after he had left, his grandfather’s mansion had been broken into and, even more shocking, his grave had been dug up and desecrated! Jonathan was horrified at this news, wondering who on earth could have done such a thing. Even stranger was that nothing seemed to have been stolen, even from his grandfather’s grave. That almost made the whole thing worse.

            Jonathan’s thumb smoothed subconsciously over the ring while he read the letter. For some reason, his mind went back to the strange man he had seen at his grandfather’s funeral. He didn’t know why, but he felt there might be a connection there. But if so, what?

            He was so distressed at the news that he wasn’t paying attention to where he was walking between classes and bumped into someone who let out a feminine ‘oof’ as his books clattered to the ground.

            “Oh! I’m so sorry!” the figure cried, reaching out to touch his shoulder before quickly pulling back with a blush.

            Jonathan found himself staring into the face of Elizabeth Merriweather, the headmaster’s daughter.

            “No, no, the fault is mine, I wasn’t looking where I was going,” he protested quickly, getting up and brushing himself off. “Are you all right?”

            She smiled as she retrieved his final notebook. “I’m fine, Mr. Harrington, but…I had heard you went back home to attend your grandfather’s funeral. I am so sorry to hear of his passing.”

            “Thank you, so am I,” Jonathan said, actually feeling quite warmed by her genuine care. He accepted his notebook. “Where are you headed? Perhaps I can accompany you? That way I can make sure no other clumsy oafs try to run you down?”

            She giggled prettily at his self-deprecation. “I’m just going back to my rooms, but you can walk with me if you have nothing else to do.”

            Jonathan did so, finding the young woman to be quite the ray of sun in his currently dark life. He bid her farewell all too soon and headed back toward the common room to work on some reading for a class the next day.

            A prickle at the back of his neck told him he was being followed.

            He cast a quick glance over his shoulder and his heart sank as he saw it was two of Cosworth’s toadies. He closed his eyes, praying for strength. If only he could get to the common room before they caught up to him…

            But no, it was already too late for that, he realized as he saw Harry Cosworth himself standing between him and the building he needed to get to.

            “You know, I hate it when men don’t understand boundaries,” Cosworth said in his loud and self-important voice. “Take Mr. Harrington here, being so bold as to go walking with a young lady without a chaperone.”

            One of the lackeys made a disapproving sound. Jonathan clenched his hands into fists. He didn’t bother saying anything because he knew it would make no difference.

            “What do you have to say for yourself, Harrington?” Cosworth demanded.

            “Does it matter what I say?” Jonathan asked in resignation.

            “You hear that, boys? He’s completely shameless! I think we need to teach him a lesson for his despicable ways.”

            Jonathan threw his books aside for the second time that day in preparation as Cosworth and his lackeys rushed him all at once. Jonathan wasn’t particularly bad at boxing, but when you were set upon by multiple assailants, none of which wanted to play by Queensbury rules, he really didn’t have much of a chance.

            He held them off for a grand total of three seconds before he took a shot to the face and reeled back, his defenses lowered, allowing Cosworth to bring a knee up into his ribs.

            Jonathan swung a fist at him, but the lackeys caught him and slammed him back against the nearest wall, pinning his wrists.

            “One of these days, Harrington, you’ll learn your place,” Cosworth said, then frowned as something caught his eye. “Well, hello, what’s this? I haven’t seen this before, Jonathan; did this come from your dead grandfather?”

            Jonathan felt his stomach drop as he realized Cosworth was looking at his ring.

            “Don’t you touch that!” he snapped. Cosworth grabbed a fistful of his hair and slammed his head back against the wall. Jonathan cried out, dazed. He tried to resist, but Cosworth forced his hand flat and yanked the ring from his finger, holding it up to inspect it with a grin.

            “What a fine piece! Far too nice for the likes of you, Harrington. I’ll just be taking it then.”

            “No!” Jonathan cried and yanked against the grip of the lackeys. One slammed a fist into his stomach and the other threw him to the ground. Jonathan wasn’t able to catch himself and his head struck the cobbles, making stars burst before his eyes. The last thing he heard before he lost consciousness completely, was a confused sound coming from Cosworth and then a shout of warning. Jonathan through that was odd, but didn’t have the capacity to worry as he faded away.

***

Jonathan came to with a pounding head, looking around.

            “Wh-what?” He stared in horror at the scene that greeted him as he pushed himself up, looking around in shock.

            Cosworth and his lackeys lay sprawled, bloody, on the ground around him. Jonathan had no recollection of doing that or…or anyone else doing so, for that matter. What had happened?

            He then caught sight of a figure standing off to one side, dark and oddly shadowed, even though he shouldn’t have been. Jonathan scrambled to his feet, head pounding. “Hey!” he called to the strange figure.

            It turned, and Jonathan staggered back in horror. The face…He was sure this was the specter he had woken up to twice now. How could that be? 

            “Who are you?” he demanded, embarrassed that his voice shook.

            The figure, a tall man dressed in grey clothing of an indeterminant period simply shook his head and gave a small salute before he disappeared, right before Jonathan’s eyes.

            No…not quite disappeared; simply returned, wispy and intangible, to a spot on the ground.

            Jonathan watched with bated breath as there was an emerald glint there and he realized suddenly that the figure—thing…ghost?—had returned to his grandfather’s ring!

            Jonathan slowly bent to pick up the ring, hands shaking as he turned it slowly. He had no clue what he had just witnessed. How was what he thought he had seen even possible? He must have hit his head too hard. And yet… He stared around at Cosworth and the other boys who were groaning as If they were starting to come to. Someone, or something had beaten them, seemingly in defense of Jonathan.

            He ran his finger over the inscription on the inside of the ring’s bang again. “Familiae Spiritu”. Could it be…?

            A footstep on the cobbles behind him had Jonathan spinning around just in time to see a darkly clad figure disappearing around the corner.

            “Hey!” he yelled, slipping his ring into his pocket as he rushed after the figure. Whoever it was might have had something to do with all this, or at the very least seen what had happened.

            But as Jonathan turned the corner, seeing the man in front of him, something hit him from behind and this time, he really did black out.

***

Jonathan woke to gentle fingers dabbing his forehead, which stung. He flinched and let out a small moan, blinking his eyes open.

            A feminine gasp was heard.

            “Oh, Jonathan! Are you well? You’ve been unconscious for nearly half an hour. I was so worried.”

            Jonathan blinked, focusing on the lovely, worried hazel eyes staring down at him. “E-Elizabeth?” He was too out of it to remember to call her Miss Merriweather, but she didn’t seem to mind. He realized next that he was lying on a couch in the parlor of the headmaster’s house. “What happened?”

            “I was walking out to put something in the post I had forgotten earlier when I found you lying on the path! I had some of the garden staff carry you here since it was closer than the infirmary.” Her eyes darkened. “It wasn’t that cad Harry Cosworth again, was it?”

            Jonathan winced as he sat up. “You need not concern yourself, Miss. I’ll be fine. I’ve taken harder knocks playing rugby.”

            She pressed her lips together but seemed willing to let it go. “I hope you got a few good hits in at least. I am really not very fond of Mr. Cosworth.”

            Jonathan couldn’t help but smile a little at her shared vehemence. “Don’t worry, I believe I did.” Somehow, he added silently, reaching down for his pocket, only to realize he wasn’t wearing his coat.

            Panic set in until he saw it draped over the back of the couch.

            “What’s wrong?” Elizabeth asked.

            Jonathan grabbed his coat and shoved his hand into the pocket, relief rushing over him as he found the ring. “N-nothing,” he said, trying to reassure her with a smile. “But I had better go, I—gah…” He made to stand up but his head and his ribs protested the movement. Elizabeth put her hands on his shoulders to steady him. 

            “Careful! I really don’t think you should be getting up!”

            He needed to figure out what was going on with the ring, figure out some sort of explanation for what he had seen. And, also, he was worried about that man he had seen right before he had been knocked unconscious. He had no idea who he was, but if he was the same man who Jonathan had seen at the funeral and he was here now… Jonathan couldn’t help but think that all of this, the strange man in black, the phantom from the ring, even the break-in at his grandfather’s house, might be connected. And he was determined to find out how. He just really didn’t want Elizabeth to get tangled up in it. Whatever was going on, he could only assume it was dangerous, and he would never forgive himself if she got hurt because of him.

            “I’m sorry, thank you for looking after me, but I really need to be going.”

            “Well, then at least let me accompany you to the infirmary,” Elizabeth insisted. “I really want the doctor to see your head. You might have a concussion.”

            Jonathan wished a knock on the head could explain everything he had seen but knew it likely wouldn’t be that simple. He did sigh though, and gave the young woman a small smile, figuring it would be easier than refusing. “Very well, I suppose I can’t say no.”

            She smiled back and offered her arm to steady him as he stood. “No. After all, it’s only fair since you were so kind as to escort me earlier. I’m simply returning the favor.”

            She saw Jonathan back to the school’s infirmary without mishap and Jonathan had to admit he was grateful as he was a bit woozy and it always helped a man’s hurts to be in pleasant company.

            Once he had been proclaimed, miraculously, concussion free, he headed back to his dormitory.

            Someone grabbed him roughly by the jacket and slammed him against the wall. Jonathan grunted as his injuries were jarred, and found himself standing face-to-face, once again, with Cosworth.

            “What the devil was that back there, Harrington?” the other boy demanded and for the first time, Jonathan realized one of his arms was in a sling and his eyes were wild. “What kind of sick trick did you pull earlier?”

            “I have no idea!” Jonathan protested, jerking himself from Cosworth’s grasp.

            “You think I won’t figure it out?” Cosworth demanded. “It had to have been someone you paid to do it. A body guard your daddy sent with you? I just can’t figure out how he showed up so suddenly. But whatever it was, my father will hear of this and when he does, you’ll be sorry!”

            “Cosworth, I seriously don’t know what you are talking about. I was knocked unconscious. I didn’t even see what happened,” Jonathan tried to explain.

            “Stop playing coy! I have half a mind to put your arm in a sling too!” Cosworth raised his still functioning fist as if about to do just that. Jonathan closed his eyes and turned his head away when he heard a cry of shock from Cosworth.

            “W-what the devil?” he nearly whimpered and staggered backwards, tripping over his own feet. He fell on his backside as Jonathan watched in shock, then Cosworth quickly scrambled up again and ran off down the hallway.

            Jonathan spun around and his heart leapt into his throat as he saw that phantom figure again, standing behind him. Jonathan nearly had the same reaction as Cosworth, staggering back a step.

            The big figure shook its head and, to Jonathan’s surprise, actually looked like it was smirking at him before it started to fade away.

            “Wait!” he cried out suddenly as the figure dissolved into a mist. Jonathan cursed under his breath.

            All right, maybe he wasn’t going insane, but that still left him with the problem of what was going on.

***

Jonathan pretended to go to sleep that night with the rest of the boys, but got out of bed and snuck out of the dormitory to head toward the library.

            It was silent this time of night, thankfully no other students had snuck in to study last minute, so Jonathan was alone.

            He went toward the back where there were multiple tables for working, and he took the ring out his pocket and set it on the table.

            “Okay,” he said quietly, feeling a little silly talking to the ring. “I want to know who you are. Can you show yourself?”

            He waited for a few long seconds, and poked the ring. “Hello? I just want to know what’s going on?”

            Jonathan groaned and sank into the nearest chair, burying his face in his hands. “This is ridiculous. I don’t know what I expected. It must be that Cosworth and I are both going crazy.”

            He glanced up and couldn’t help the cry that burst from his lips to see the large phantom figure standing there in front of him.

            Jonathan jumped out of the chair, and it tipped. The figure simply reached out and snagged it before it made a loud noise, setting it gently back on its legs. Jonathan watched in shock.

            “So, you are real?” he said lamely.

            The figure smiled, and straightened its shoulders almost proudly. 

            Jonathan got his first really good look at it. It was definitely not corporeal, though it had been able to touch the chair—and obviously Cosworth and his cronies. And despite its mostly indistinct form, it was obviously male, strong jaw, broad shoulders, hair a little too long for this century that, along with the clothing—something that looked like a highwayman’s coat and leathers—was floating slightly in a nonexistent breeze. The phantom was all in black and grey except its—his?—eyes which were the same piercing emerald green as the stone in the ring.

            “So…who are you? What are you?”

            The figure cocked his head to one side and pointed to the inside of the ring where the inscription was. Jonathan frowned.

            “Familiae spiritu…family spirit?” 

            The figure nodded.

            “You can’t talk?” Jonathan concluded.

            The figure shrugged and touched his ear before pointing to Jonathan. 

            “I wouldn’t be able to hear you? Is it because…you’re beyond the veil?”

            The phantom shrugged again and waved his hands in a way that someone implied that ‘it was complicated’. 

            “Fantastic.” Jonathan muttered to himself, sinking back into the chair. “So you can’t explain to me what you are, or why my grandfather gave you to me? What should I even call you?”

            The phantom suddenly smiled and held up a finger, reaching across the desk to grab a pen and paper in his shadowy hand. He scratched out a short note and then handed it to Jonathan. 

            The young man took it, reading the surprisingly good handwriting. “Your name is Leo?” The phantom nodded and Jonathan continued to read. “ ‘I am your guardian, I accompanied your grandfather on his journeys and kept him safe and he wished me to do the same for you. I’ve been in the family for many generations.” Jonathan trailed off as he read the last line. It was true that a lot of the Harringtons had been adventurers. Jonathan himself was a student of anthropology and intended to do quite a bit of travelling when he got out of school as well. But still, this was all so strange.

            “So, Grandfather gave you to me as a guardian?” Jonathan asked. “Is that why you beat Harry Cosworth and his companions so harshly?”

            Leo raised his chin, folding his arms across his chest, obviously not at all sorry. Jonathan sighed and rubbed his forehead. 

            “Okay, well, we’re going to have to set boundaries in the future. I can’t have you causing trouble here at school. I don’t know what you did with my grandfather, but I’m sure it was far more dangerous than going up against a few school bullies. So…please don’t make this troublesome for me.”

            Leo gave him a look and took the paper back, turning it over to write something else, longer this time. Jonathan waited while he wrote it out and handed it back to him.

            Jonathan took it and read, “ ‘I thought they meant you harm. There is someone watching you. I was unable to go after him earlier, because I cannot travel very far from the ring….’ Wait, you mean that man who I saw before I got hit over the head?”

            Leo nodded and pointed at the paper. Jonathan continued to read. “ ‘He is someone who means your family harm and he will be back. We must keep an eye out.’” 

            “Okay, so there’s a man after me, why?” Jonathan asked.

            Leo took the paper. A man who made enemies of your grandfather.

            “My grandfather had enemies? How come I’m just hearing about this?”

            Leo shrugged. Jonathan sighed, this was just getting more and more bizarre by the second. He ran a hand through his already messy hair. “Okay, but you can’t just pop up around other people.”

            Leo wrote on the paper again. I can only be seen by others if I want them to. Unless they also possess a ring, which is highly unlikely.

            Jonathan sighed again. “Well, I suppose that will have to do. Do you know the name of the man who’s after me?”

            Leo wrote on the paper and Jonathan pulled it toward him. “Donavan? I don’t remember my Grandfather mentioning anyone of that name.”

            Leo shrugged again, almost apologetically. Jonathan was getting the idea that there was a lot his grandfather hadn’t told him.

            “Okay, well, there’s nothing more we can do tonight, I suppose,” he said and stood up, picking the ring up again. “Um…you can go back.”

            Leo saluted and disappeared into the ring again.

            Jonathan stood there for a long time, staring at the ring in his palm and trying to decide what on earth he was going to do now.

***

So Jonathan found himself the owner of a guardian spirit who was a literal spirit. He really wasn’t sure what to think about that. He wasn’t completely sure he believed it even now. If it hadn’t been for the definitive proof that Cosworth had also appeared to have seen Leo, than Jonathan probably would have just thought that he’d been hit over the head too many times in the past few days.

            He really didn’t need this while he was just trying to finish school.

            He did try to be more cautious, however, when he was walking around the university grounds. If that man in the dark coat he kept seeing really was an old enemy of his grandfather’s like Leo had said, then Jonathan wondered what on earth his plans were. If he had broken into the manor house, and even gone so far as to desecrate his grandfather’s grave, then he must have some motive. 

            Jonathan had spoken about it to Leo, asking him what he remembered about the man.

            The phantom said he knew little more than the man’s name, as previously, he’d sent lackeys after his grandfather instead of doing the dirty work himself and they’d only seen his face once. But it appeared that Donovan, the only name they’d ever heard, was obsessed with the rings, which gave Jonathan at least a clue as to what he’d been looking for, though why he hadn’t stolen the ring off of Jonathan that day when he’d knocked him unconscious, he didn’t know.

            “Does he have one?” Jonathan asked Leo.

            The phantom shrugged then wrote, Not that I know of, but it’s been years. Anything could have happened. Your grandfather only encountered two other people in possession of the rings on his journeys. 

            “And how many of them are out there?”

            Again, Leo shrugged. We don’t know. Your grandfather was trying to find the other bearers but they’re usually quite secretive. Mine is an heirloom that has gone back for at least two centuries. I have served many of your ancestors.

            Jonathan mulled over this information, and when he got a moment, he took to the library and tried to do research on anything that might relate to the rings and what exactly they were, where they had come from. Even as a student of history and anthropology, he had never come across even a mention of anything like this, either in recorded history or fable. 

            When the university library proved to be unhelpful, he quickly sent letters to several of his mentors who had helped him with research in the past, seeing if they knew of anything like this. Without even knowledge of the origin of the rings—Leo had no clue where he had come from either—it was nearly impossible to find anything useful.

            However, one of his contacts, a former colleague of his grandfather, sent him back a letter saying that he had some good information.

            Jonathan shared it with Leo that night. “I’m going to travel to Oxford first thing in the morning to meet with him. Let’s hope he has what we’re looking for.”

            It was the weekend, so Jonathan left along with the other students who were traveling home. 

            “Jonathan!”

            He turned and saw Elizabeth rushing after him. He blushed slightly with pleasure at the fact she had called him by his Christian name. “Elizabeth, hello.”

            She smiled, her own cheeks flushed. “Are you leaving for the weekend?”

            “I just have some research to do in Oxford,” Jonathan told her. “I should be back by tomorrow.”

            “Oh, well, have a good trip,” she said shyly.

            Jonathan waved and turned, before someone slapped him in the shoulder. He looked up in shock to see that Leo had materialized and was frowning at him and pointing back toward Elizabeth.

            “What?” Jonathan hissed.

            The phantom smirked and mimed walking.

            Jonathan rolled his eyes. He did not need a ghostly wing-man, however… “Elizabeth!” he called, hurrying a couple steps after her.

            She turned, seeming to be expectant. Jonathan swallowed hard. “Er, if you would like…perhaps tomorrow when I get back, would you…would you like to take a turn around the school grounds with me?”

            Elizabeth’s cheeks flushed but her eyes were bright. “Oh, I would love to, Jonathan. I look forward to it.”

            “As do I,” Jonathan assured her, exhaling greatly as he turned around and hurried to catch a cab for the train. Leo reappeared and gave him a nod and a smile. Jonathan glowered at him but couldn’t really be mad either.

            The trip to Oxford was uneventful and it was easy enough to get to the house of Mr. Robert Warrant, his grandfather’s colleague, from the station.

            The aging man met Jonathan with a welcome handshake.

            “Jonathan! The last time I saw you you were just a wee thing! But you do take after your grandfather. I’m very sorry I was unable to come for the funeral; I only just got back into the country. Come inside then, we have a lot to discuss.”

            Jonathan followed him into the house and to his study where the maid brought tea and set it on the desk.

            Warrant wasted no time as soon as the door was closed. “Considering the nature of your letter, I take it the ring has fallen to you?”

            Jonathan pulled off his gloves and set them aside, revealing the emerald ring on his finger. “Yes, my grandfather left it in my care.”

            The man gave him a long look. “And you’ve met Leo?”

            At the mention of his name, the phantom appeared at Jonathan’s side, startling Warrant slightly, before the older man smiled. “Why, there you are, old boy, it’s been a long time.”

            Leo smiled and bowed before going back into his ring.

            “So, you knew about the rings as well?” Jonathan asked.

            “Oh, certainly. Most of your grandfather’s closest companions and colleagues did; one of them even had one himself, but he died with no heirs and it was put away.”

            “And you know who Donavan is?” Jonathan asked.

            The man stiffened, his face growing grim. “I do know who that devil is, yes. He searched all his life for a ring, but they are hard to come by, and the spirits who inhabit them are inherently loyal to only members of the family they belong to. I suppose it’s possible that one found by chance could be used by anyone—likely what Donavan was hoping for—but typically the spirits only manifest for their specific bloodlines. Which is why we put Connolly’s into storage after his death. Perhaps someday, a new family will take it up, but likely not for a while.”

            “But where do the rings come from originally?”

            “Nobody knows. Your grandfather spent most of his life in the field trying to find out, but there was never any definitive proof of origin or nationality. Not all of them are rings either, it’s the stones that have the power. One of the other men in our group had the theory that the phantoms were manifestations of warrior spirits or perhaps the ghosts of warriors themselves who were somehow transmuted into the stones. As you’ve seen with Leo, they are sentient, but none of them know anything about where they came from or remember anything about a past life. They only remember who they have served.”

            Jonathan mulled this over in his head for a while as he sipped his tea. “And Donavan wanted one. How did he find out about them to begin with?”

            “There is an ancient tale, about a pendant that brought ultimate power to the bearer, that could summon an unbeatable champion so no one could kill the one who wore it. The story goes that it belonged to some ancient king. Apparently, Donavan, like all men obsessed with the idea of power, became enamored with the idea of having a stone like that, and spent all his life looking for one. But I don’t even know if he’s still alive.”

            “I believe he is,” Jonathan said grimly. “And I’m pretty sure I’ve seen him.”

            Warrant looked shocked. “Donavan? Are you sure?”

            Jonathan nodded and told the other man about the encounters he’d had with the man in the black coat. Warrant looked pale by the end, especially after hearing about the attempted robbery and grave desecration.

            “If this is the case, and that really is Donavan, you are in great danger, Jonathan,” the man said.

            Leo appeared as if feeling the tension, grim himself at the other man’s words. 

            “He tried to kill your grandfather on several occasions, I can’t imagine that he would hesitate to do the same to you if he thought it would serve him,” Warrant said.

            “But he knocked me unconscious the other day on school grounds, if he’d wanted me dead, wouldn’t he have done it then?”

            Warrant shook his head. “I can’t speak to his motives, but you must be careful. Leo, you must look out for him.”

            The phantom nodded, folding his arms across his chest. Jonathan pressed his lips together. He still didn’t truly understand this entire situation, but he did see that there was something bigger going on.

            Warrant got up and went to one of his bookshelves, pulling down a leather-bound journal. “Here, you should look at this. It’s the diary I kept during my time with your grandfather. It might give you an idea of what we were doing and perhaps answer some of your questions.”

            Jonathan took it and flipped through the pages of neat text. “Thank you.”

            “I hope you’ll stay the night, I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to take the late train back,” Warrant said.

            Jonathan nodded in agreement. “If it’s not too much trouble.”

            That night, sitting up in the bed in the guest room, Jonathan read Warrant’s journal by candlelight. Some of it was hard to believe, other stories, he remembered his grandfather telling him as a child, and it seemed they were not at all as exaggerated as he had assumed when he grew older. 

            He was also fascinated by the roles played by Leo, and Connolly’s phantom, Taurus. It seemed they were instrumental in a lot of fights the group had during their archeological explorations, either protecting the group from tomb robbers and treasure hunters, or attacks from Donavan. The phantoms were treated like members of the group, comrades and friends. It was strange to Jonathan to think about, but he had to admit that even in the short time he’d known Leo, the phantom warrior didn’t have a dislikable personality, and it was nice to have someone to confide in.

            The one thing that was reoccurring in the accounts was that Donavan was a constant problem to the group. It seemed that no matter what country they ended up in on digs, he wasn’t far behind, though he hardly ever showed himself. In fact, at first, his grandfather and the others seemed to think that there was just an increase of tomb robbers, however, upon interrogating one of the men they had taken prisoner in a fight, they found he was actually working for a man named Donavan. 

            Jonathan read into the wee hours of the morning, until he fell asleep with the journal on his chest and only woke when Leo touched his shoulder, pointing to the morning light streaming through the window.

            Jonathan checked the time and leapt out of bed, snatching his clothes. If he didn’t hurry, he would miss his train back.

            He thanked Warrant for his hospitality as he headed out. “Do you mind if I borrow the journal? I’ll get it back to you soon.”

            “Of course, take as much time as you need,” the older man said. “And let me know if you see Donavan again. Also, Mrs. Carlisle packed this for you.” He handed Jonathan a bundle of food for the trip back and the young man smiled gratefully and headed out, calling for a cab.

            He got to the train station in good time, and stood on the platform, waiting for it to arrive.

            A figure came to wait next to him and Jonathan didn’t take much note of it until the stranger began to speak.

            “How is Robert Warrant? It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him.”

            Jonathan whipped around, seeing the stranger staring at him, a dangerous look in his dark eyes. He was still wearing the same black mackintosh Jonathan had seen him in before and his bearing was unmistakable. 

            “Donavan,” he said. Leo appeared, hovering at Jonathan’s shoulder and he was glad for the phantom’s presence.

            “So, you know who I am,” the old man said, his voice level. He looked over Jonathan’s shoulder and the young man was aware of Leo shifting uncomfortably. “I see you also do have the ring after all.”

            Leo started, and Jonathan wondered if he hadn’t expected Donavan to see him. He didn’t know what that meant, but it was obviously disturbing to the phantom.

            “What do you want?” Jonathan demanded.

            Donavan only smiled. “You’ll see soon enough. But I’m hardly going to make a fuss here in front of all these people. I don’t think that would go over very well, would it? So you might want to call your phantom off.”

            Leo clenched his fists in anger, but made no move to attack. Jonathan locked eyes with Donavan, but he was trembling, genuinely terrified. This man was obviously dangerous, and he didn’t have any clue what he might do, why he was so bold as to approach him here in a public place. None of it made sense.

            The train whistled and barreled into the station but that was the last thing Jonathan was thinking about now.

            Donavan tipped his hat to him. “I expect I’ll be seeing you soon, Jonathan.”

            And he slipped off to join the crowds getting onto the train. Jonathan didn’t even bother, he raced out of the station and hailed the first cab he saw, hurriedly rattling off Warrant’s address.

            Leo appeared in the seat beside him, green eyes worried as he looked over at Jonathan, miming writing. Jonathan hurriedly yanked a notebook out of his bag and handed it to the phantom who took it and scribbled something onto it.

            Jonathan took it back and read, He should not have been able to see me; I was not making myself visible. Something is wrong.

            “What does that mean?” Jonathan asked.

            Leo hesitated for a second before he took the notebook again and wrote, I think he may have a ring now too.

            Jonathan sank back onto the seat, breathing heavily. This was all spiraling quickly out of proportion and he couldn’t help but feel he was far out of his depth.

            He barely remembered to pay the cabbie as he dashed out and ran to Warrant’s door, pounding on it.

            The maid opened it, shock on her face. “Mr. Harrington—”

            “Is Mr. Warrant here?” Jonathan asked hurriedly.

            The man appeared at the same instant. “Jonathan? What’s wrong, lad?”

            Jonathan shook his head. “Donavan was at the station.”

            “What?” Warrant’s expression changed from shock to horror. “Did he see you?”

            “He talked to me.”

            “Where is he now?”

            “He got on the train, I probably should have followed him but…”

            “No, you did the right thing.” Warrant was already grabbing his hat and coat, taking a walking stick from a stand by the door. “Mrs. Carlisle, hold down the fort while I’m gone.”

            “But Mr. Warrant, what’s wrong?” the housekeeper asked even as Warrant joined Jonathan on the doorstep and waved to the cab driver who was just about to leave again.

            “Where are we going?” Jonathan asked.

            “Back to the station, if he was heading back toward the university, he might have some plan to set a trap for you.”

            Jonathan felt cold sweat break out across his back as they settled into the coach. Leo appeared and gave a worried glance.

            “What exactly did Donavan say?” Warrant asked.

            Jonathan related as much as he could remember from the brief conversation, and added, “He was also able to see Leo. We think Donavan might have a ring now.” Leo nodded in confirmation.

            Warrant sank back against the seats, rubbing his forehead. “This could be very bad. You should send a message to your parents as soon as we get back. It’s possible they could be at risk, especially if they’re still staying in your family manor.”

            “But if he knows I have the ring, then isn’t it me he wants?” Jonathan asked. “That must have been what he was looking for this whole time, wasn’t it?”

            Warrant raised his hands helplessly. “I can only assume, though if it’s true he has his own, I don’t know what he’s going to do with another one.”

            Jonathan glanced at Leo, who gave a concerned look. Frankly he didn’t want to know. This whole situation was spiraling far out of his control.

            When they got to the station, Jonathan went to send a telegraph to his parents, while Warrant asked around about a man matching Donavan’s description. By the time Jonathan came back, he’d hit a dead end.

            “One of the station workers said they thought they saw Donavan get into a cab, but there’s no telling where he could have been heading,” Warrant said. “I think it’s best you head back to school and I’ll continue looking through town, asking around.”

            “But it will be dangerous to go alone, especially since Donavan knows you’re involved with me.”

            Warrant smiled. “Don’t worry about me, Jonathan, I’ve had quite a few more close calls in my life. You just get back to school. You’ll be safer in a place where you’ll be surrounded by people. I’ll let you know the minute I find anything out.”

            Jonathan didn’t like the idea of abandoning Warrant, but after reading his diary, he knew the older man would know what he was doing. And really, Jonathan had no clue how to proceed in this situation. He didn’t even know how they were going to resolve it. 

            He took a cab back to the school and heard the clock bell tolling the time. He suddenly remembered that he’d promised to meet Elizabeth that afternoon. It seemed rather silly now with everything going on, but still, he didn’t want her to think he abandoned her. He would just stop by and tell her some other business had come up that he had to attend to.

            Jonathan walked toward the headmaster’s house and rang the bell. It was answered by a maid who gave him a stern look.

            “Hello, um, is Miss Merriweather at home?”

            “No, she’s not, she went into town I believe, and you have no place asking after her or calling on her,” the woman said in no uncertain terms.

            “Oh, well, um, when she comes back, can you tell her—”

            The door slammed in his face and he bit his lip. That could have gone better.

            He suddenly became aware that Leo had appeared beside him. The phantom was looking around.

            “What is it?” Jonathan asked.

            The phantom strode across the path to the door and into the greenery on one side, bending over to pick something up out of the bushes.

            Jonathan frowned, seeing the small beaded clutch he had seen Elizabeth carry into town with her. “That’s Elizabeth’s. Why would she…” A cold pit started to form in his stomach and Leo met his gaze with worry, handing the purse to Jonathan who clutched it to his chest. “She might have just dropped it.”

            But even he didn’t believe that. He started back toward the dormitories, planning to drop his bag inside before he would go ask if anyone had seen Elizabeth. He tucked her purse inside his jacket as he entered the house.

            He was accosted by one of the other boys as he entered the dormitory and dropped his bag onto his bed.

            “Harrington, someone delivered a letter to you,” the boy said, tossing an envelope onto his bed.       

            Jonathan picked it up, seeing it was only marked with his name as if it had been hand delivered. He opened it, wondering what it could be, a horrible feeling in his stomach.

            His breath caught in his throat as he saw the words and Leo appeared, reading over his shoulder. 

            It’s a shame that Miss Merriweather will not be able to make your date this afternoon, she had a prior engagement. If you wish to see her again, bring the ring to the Park Green at midnight.

            Jonathan felt his knees go weak and he sank onto the bed, trying to get his breathing under control. The letter wasn’t signed. It didn’t need to be. 

            Donavan had Elizabeth and he would most certainly kill her if Jonathan didn’t show up to this meeting.

***

Warrant tugged his hat down lower on his head as he stood next to Jonathan on the street across from the park.

            “I can do this alone, you know,” he said. “I’d hate to see you hurt during this exchange.”

            Jonathan shook his head. “I can’t leave Elizabeth to his mercy. Besides, Leo’s bound to me. If Donavan has a ring too, then we’re going to need Leo’s help.”

            “What are you planning?” Warrant asked.

            Jonathan shook his head. “All I want is to save Elizabeth and finish this. Whatever it takes.”

            Warrant nodded firmly and reached into his coat pocket before bringing out a pistol, pulling the hammer back, before tucking it back into his pocket. “And I will stand beside you just like I did with your grandfather.”

            Jonathan nodded gratefully and moved to cross the street.

            He saw Donavan almost instantly upon entering the park. He was standing on the bridge over a pond, illuminated by the moonlight.

            Warrant put a hand on Jonathan’s shoulder before he could step onto the bridge.

            “Ah, Jonathan, and Robert Warrant—it’s been a long time.”

            “Yes, it has,” Warrant said. “And yet you haven’t changed.”

            Donavan cocked his head to one side. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that, old friend.”

            “Where is Elizabeth?” Jonathan demanded, hands clenched tightly at his sides.

            Donavan smirked. “Elizabeth, is it? My, you two are more friendly than I thought. But I did make a promise. She will be exchanged for the ring.”

            “Show her to me first!” Jonathan demanded.

            Donavan sighed. “Very well.” He stepped to the other end of the bridge and reached around the railing, hauling the girl into view. She was tied at the wrists, attached to the railing and had a gag around her mouth. Even in the moonlight, Jonathan could see tears streaming down her cheeks.

            “Elizabeth, everything will be all right!” he promised. “I’ll get you out of here!” He stepped forward onto the bridge and Donavan tutted at him.

            “Now, now, we have a deal. Give me the ring Jonathan.”

            Jonathan glanced at Warrant who took his pistol out, holding it ready at his side. The other man gave him a slight nod.

            “You do have the ring, don’t you?” Donavan asked sharply.

            “I have it,” Jonathan told him, slipping his glove off and raising his hand so that the emerald glinted in the moonlight. “But I want to know why you want it. Surely you know, Leo is only loyal to my family.”

            Donavan chuckled, striding forward. “Oh, your grandfather didn’t know half there was to know about the rings. I know tricks he never even would have thought of.”

            Jonathan continued on his way until he was only about eight feet away from Donavan, standing in the center of the bridge. 

            “Time’s up, Jonathan. Make your decision: The ring or the girl.”

            Jonathan was silent for a long second before he smiled. “Sorry, but I think I’m going to choose another option.”

            Leo materialized with a silent roar, launching himself at Donavan, fist raised to strike.

            Donavan didn’t seem shocked at all, to Jonathan’s surprise, he simply stepped back and raised his hand.

            Another figure materialized in front of him, as a glint of violet on his finger caught the moonlight.

            Leo came to a skidding halt then bent backwards, almost horizontal to the ground as the other phantom lashed out with a sword of darkness, nearly slashing Leo’s throat open.

            “The devil!” Warrant cried from the sidelines. “He does have a ring!”

            Donavan chuckled, standing nonchalantly to one side as Jonathan watched the two phantoms poised in fighting crouches, eyeing each other. 

            “That’s right,” Donavan said, holding up his hand to allow the ring to glint again. “I finally found one. Meet Ursa.”

            Donavan’s phantom was at least a head taller than Leo and even more broad, his hair pulled back into a tight ponytail that flowed behind him. Leo sneered and reached behind him, drawing two parrying daggers that Jonathan had never realized he had.

            “Kill them, Ursa, and bring Leo’s ring to me. They have proven too troublesome to be kept alive.”

            Ursa nodded sharply and lunged forward, striking out at Leo. Jonathan’s phantom parried the attack easily and then exchanged several rapid-fire blows, all silent, but somehow Jonathan could feel the impact through the air.

            Leo lashed out and managed to slice one of the daggers across Ursa’s cheek. Dark mist poured out and Ursa’s mouth twisted into a snarl before he lunged forward, grabbing one of Leo’s wrists and slashing with the blade. Leo twisted, but was unable to avoid getting slashed across the ribs by Ursa’s sword. He yanked himself free and staggered back as an even bigger cloud of dark mist appeared from his side.

            “Leo!” Jonathan cried worriedly.

            The phantom shook his head and lurched back into the fight, but Ursa kicked him back, disarming one of his daggers and slamming his sword hilt up into Leo’s jaw. Leo collapsed, seemingly stunned.

            Jonathan watched in horror as Ursa spun around toward him, sword raised.

            “Jonathan!” Warrant cried, holding his gun up, seeming at a loss of what to do.

            Ursa raised his sword but Leo appeared suddenly in front of Jonathan, shielding him with his body and knocking him back.

            Ursa’s sword fell, hitting Leo’s shoulder heavily and digging into Jonathan’s as well from the force of the impact.

            Jonathan cried out and Leo’s mouth was also open in a silent scream of pain before he kicked out, slamming his booted foot into Ursa’s stomach, causing the other phantom to stagger back.

            Leo pushed himself to his feet, slightly hunched, only one dagger left. But as Ursa crawled upright again, Leo wasted no time in simply throwing his dagger.

            It hit Ursa right in the center of the chest. The phantom staggered back.

            “Ursa!” Donavan cried, fury tearing across his face. He glowered at Jonathan who was now on his knees, clutching his bleeding shoulder as Leo held his ground in front of him.

            “You’ll pay for this, Jonathan.” He drew a dagger of his own and advanced on the boy, but a shot rang out and Donavan staggered to a halt, a wet patch appearing across his chest. Jonathan whipped around and saw Warrant standing behind him with his gun raised.

            Donavan growled, clutching his shoulder, staggered back against the railing.

            “You’ll pay, Jonathan,” he repeated. “I promise you you’ll live to regret this.”

            He collapsed over the side, Ursa disappearing with him.

            Jonathan staggered to his feet, alarmed as the splash was heard below. “Leo! Don’t let him get away!”

            The phantom ran and leapt over the side too, but after several seconds, he reappeared on the bridge, shaking his head, hands raised.

            “He’s gone?” Warrant asked, pale. “But how is that?”

            Jonathan shook his head. “We’ll worry about it later. If we’re lucky, he won’t survive that gunshot wound.” He staggered over to the other end of the bridge where Elizabeth was still crouched, trembling.

            “Elizabeth,” Jonathan collapsed beside her. Leo came over and used his blade to cut her bonds. Jonathan pulled the gag from her mouth and she instantly collapsed against his chest, crying.

            “Jonathan!”

            “It’s all right,” he whispered, resting his cheek against her hair and holding her close, comforted by the warmth of her body. “I’m so sorry.”

            He looked over her shoulder at Leo who was propping himself against the railing. The dark mist was still flowing from his wounds. 

            “Are you all right, Leo?” Jonathan asked.

            The phantom smiled, and indicated resting. Jonathan smiled back and reached out to clasp his hand. “Thank you. You can go now.”

            Leo nodded and saluted before he disappeared rather quickly. Jonathan hoped he would recover.

            His own shoulder ached though he didn’t think the wound was that bad. He was more worried about Elizabeth trembling in his arms. Warrant came over and helped him pull her up.

            “Come on, you two need to be taken care of,” the older man said, taking off his coat and wrapping it around Elizabeth’s shoulders. 

            Jonathan didn’t have it in him to protest. Simply wrapped his arm around Elizabeth’s shoulders and pulled her to him as they both followed Warrant off the bridge.

            Jonathan had a feeling this wasn’t the conclusion of anything, but the beginning of only more questions.

***

“Are you sure you have to go?” Elizabeth asked.

            Jonathan smiled and reached out to tentatively clasp her hand. “I’m afraid I have to.” It had been a difficult decision, but he had decided to leave school early and take on a job as Warrant’s assistant instead. They had both agreed that, without knowing what had become of Donavan, it was better they stay close and put more manpower into finding out what they could about the stones. Besides, working with him would still further Jonathan’s career in archeological anthropology.

            “I’ll come visit whenever I can,” he assured her.

            “You had better,” she said and leaned forward impulsively and kissed his cheek. Jonathan’s face flamed red and he ducked his head.

            “Just be careful,” she pleaded. “And Leo…” The phantom materialized at Jonathan’s side. Elizabeth had seen everything that had happened at the bridge and Jonathan had explained it to her, introducing her to Leo once the phantom had recovered. Oddly, the two seemed to hit it off and were rather fond of each other. “Do look after him,” she instructed.

            Leo placed a hand over his heart and bowed. Elizabeth stretched onto her toes and kissed his cheek too, making Leo smirk proudly before taking her hand and kissing it. She giggled, and Jonathan rolled his eyes.

            “You can go now, Leo,” he muttered.

            The phantom smirked and disappeared.

            “Write me when you can,” Elizabeth told him.

            “I will,” Jonathan said and looked over toward where Warrant was waiting with a cab. Impulsively, he reached for Elizabeth and pulled her close, pressing his mouth to hers gently. She gasped, looking stunned as he pulled back.

            “I promise I’ll be back before long,” he told her, then picked up his bags and headed toward the coach where Warrant was smiling, shaking his head.

            Jonathan got inside next to the older man and as the coach started he looked out the window, seeing Elizabeth waving to him. He waved back, seeing Leo do the same out of the corner of his eye, before he settled back. 

            He had the feeling that his life was just starting and that many adventures lay ahead, just like the ones his grandfather had always told him about. And even if they were dangerous, he was ready to face them head on.