The Soul Thief

By N.J. Barnett

There is a great treasure, so rich, so valuable; nothing compares.

Gold is precious.

Love is priceless.

Time is desired.

But a soul is the only thing worth stealing.

The wealthy have found the

• Language: English
• Publisher: Barnett Books
• Release date: Sep 19, 2022
• ISBN: 9781802278118

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The Soul Thief

The Soul Thief

N. J. Barnett

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2022 by N.J. Barnett

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review.

First paperback edition

978-1-80227-810-1 (paperback)

978-1-80227-811-8 (ebook)

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 1

Night is blissful. An escape from the harsh reality of day. Owls stalk silently on subtle winds that carry endless energy. Tree leaves twitch. Small clouds push by under the speckled heavens. Between the sleeping valleys and horse-filled fields, a grey rectangular building stands, surrounded by walls that contain a well-maintained garden. A grand estate with a hundred windows all a-glow. A raucous sound emits as its occupants are fully engaged by festivities. An endless stream of horse-led carriages arrive. The track leads up to columns and underneath a great door, radiating light, inviting everyone inside.

Knights prowl about, their armour clunking and giving away their movements. A shadow, swift and cunning dips between trees and foliage. It darts about like a bat in darkness, so quick and light-footed it can’t be picked up. It disappears behind the back of the house, staying, waiting for an opportunity.

This is awful, David moaned to himself. Why are there always so many people at these things?

Just stay still master, the servant said, stroking over the robes with a flat palm. Your mother expects you to appear at your best. Must impress.

Why? David groaned, purposefully loud. This is supposed to be a funeral. I thought darker colours were the general norm?

That depends on whose funeral it is I suppose.

Do you hear them down there? No respect for the fact my grandad has just passed. David scratched an itch begging to be dealt with. He was fast growing out of his clothes. Surely his mother could afford new ones? I think this is too tight.

The servant stepped back; fingers on chin, judging it sceptically. It should be just fine for tonight.

Tell my mother later that I desperately require new robes. David stepped to the mirror and twirled around, admiring his silk red cloak and blue and gold outfit. He did look wonderful. Like a king. Better not say that aloud. I won’t be forgotten, that’s for sure.

Yes sir, the servant added. All eyes will alight on you when you enter.

Quite right. Let’s get on with this then.

Laughter was not acceptable in David’s opinion. Yet, upon descending the stairs that was the first noise that greeted him. It wasn’t right. Disrespectful. David loved his luxurious lifestyle. But sometimes he uncovered a longing, a craving for the outer world. He wasn’t confident he would trade it though. However, the one thing he would trade was the behaviour of those he called his family and friends. Their treatment of each other and others just stunk. He’d learned to accept it of course but it still bothered him. Half way down the steps he was already drawing the eyes of young ladies about his age. He wouldn’t admit it but at twelve, at the very edge of becoming mature, he missed his childhood. His father treated him differently, and so did his mother. They started using the term young man. What was that about?

Half way down the stairs he glimpsed himself in a mirror. His hair, wavey and glossy, combed back to perfection. His skin gleaming, years of preening keeping it so. He gave the impression of intelligence. No one paid attention to that though. Maybe it was an age thing?

His boots clomped upon the last stone steps. The smell of candle fumes lazily meandered about, their brightness highlighting everything in yellow. Instantly, young ladies, a few years older than himself and dressed in fine bright dresses, surrounded him.

There he is, a man bellowed, parting the crowd of girls. My wonderful son. Looking a very handsome young man.

The words dampened David’s confidence. His father was perhaps trying to make him seem older. His father, named Nelson, swung an arm around him, hugging him tight. If that wasn’t embarrassing enough it got worse. A woman approached, as colourful as a butterfly.

My, my, the lady began, in a delicate overly-kind voice, My young man is quite a spectacle this evening.

Hello mother, David said, smiling in embarrassment.

Linda my wife you are stunning this night, Nelson said boldly. You shame the others.

Linda and Nelson were not the greatest of parents, but not terrible either. At least they cared and noticed their son. Linda was a slender, smaller woman, and always enjoyed dressing up in fine gowns. Nelson was once a knight, standing proud and as straight as tree. His black beard reached to the collar of his traditional quilted, padded jacket with buckles on one side. David had discovered as he became older that they were total opposites. Acting pleasant was a front, but the truth was there were many arguments. Consistently. This should have resulted in a split after years of conflict. Yet, nothing happened. What kept them together, apparently, was a shared interest in money and wealth. This trumped everything. David couldn’t understand how.

This is an amazing turn out, David said. Did all these people know Grandad?

I doubt it, Linda scoffed, sipping a drink from her goblet.

Then why are they here?

Because I invited them.

Linda floated away into the heaving masses, diving into conversation. Nelson stood by David, eyes drifting over the people entering through the front door.

I thought funerals were supposed to be respectful father, David said.

That’s right! Nelson agreed.

How is this happening then? This looks more like a party.

Don’t start now. Nelson knelt down and gave a soft smile. I loved my father. Your grandad was an amazing man. He ignored the laws created and I’m sorry he passed.

I thought you said he could live forever?

He could have. Should have. However, it’s a personal choice. Soon, my young man, you’ll have to make a similar choice. Once it starts you can’t go back.

David wasn’t entirely sure what his father meant. His life had been leading up to a decision but no one explained it. Grandad choose not to do it. Why? People were living a lot longer than others. How? It seemed to be a closely guarded secret.

Father, do I get a choice? David asked.

Of course, you do, Nelson answered, standing tall. Just understand there are consequences to that choice.

Those words hit a soft spot inside. David turned and disappeared through the heaving bodies, desperate to get away. A weight dropped and he didn’t like it. The world spun. A sea of bright elegant colours danced about. He felt dizzy and sick. His feet guided him through the back and out into the rear garden. Cold air cooled his insides as he inhaled deep breaths. His thoughts piled up compacting any sense of freedom to think clearly. His heart punched violently. He needed a distraction. Anything. An anxiety expanded, becoming overwhelming. Then, a movement grabbed his curiosity. At the far end of the house, a slight shape slyly crept to a window. A flash of metal jerked the bottom of the frame and it swung outward.

David stared, surprised and intrigued. He thought of announcing the house was being broken into. He let it pass. He wanted to find out who it was first.

Keeping close to the wall, David headed over to the window, stepping carefully to avoid noise on the damp grass. His foot slipped a couple of times but he managed to regain his balance.

The window was definitely open. He hadn’t imagined it.

I wonder what he’s after? whispered David to himself.

Peering in he could safely assume it was a man or boy, maybe from a poor background and seeing if it were possible to make some quick money. It made sense. Also, it was a risk. If this person got caught death would certainly be the result. David glanced around, just to check no knights were nearby. Being caught by them might be problematic. Especially when