Dragon storm, p.13
Dragon Storm, page 13
She turned her attention back to the center of the room and the ice table. Her grandfather stood before it solemnly. Josie moved closer, as did the twins, to see what her grandfather was up to. He bowed in respect, touching his fingertips to the edge of the table, motioning for her to do the same. She did as instructed and bowed low, feeling a magical thrill of energy shoot from her fingers to her toes as she touched the flat-topped pillar of ice.
She rose from her bow, and then she saw it.
An amulet almost exactly like the ones around Darius’s and Connor’s necks. Only this one showed the design of a snowcat, not the dragon that graced their medallions. Her grandfather lifted it reverently from the sparkling ice surface, holding it in both hands as he turned to her.
“It has come to pass. The daughter of snowcat joins with the dragon. This, I believe, was meant for you.” He held out the amulet, and she took it with trembling fingers. She could feel the magic of it buzzing through her skin. She didn’t have to be told that this was an object of immense power.
Darius and Connor flanked her, one on each side, looking over her shoulders, down at the silver and gold necklace.
“It’s just like ours, except it has a cat on it instead of a dragon.” Darius stated the obvious.
“What does this mean?” Connor asked her grandfather.
“It means that you are the ones who were foretold in the most ancient scriptures of the snowcat Clan. It was said a daughter of snowcat would join with the dragon. I didn’t know what it meant until I saw you two.” Her grandfather looked very old and weary all of a sudden as he stepped away from the altar. “I can tell you what teachings have survived the centuries. This place is known only to the elders of our Clan, though none I know of have ever been here before. Snowcat alone is not able to reach this high on the mountain.” The old man began walking around the chamber, looking at the magnificent carvings. “The amulet and other things, it is said, remain locked away here in the ice, waiting for those who need them.”
“But I only see this amulet. Besides the carvings, this place is empty.” Josie was confused.
“You see the amulet because it is meant for you. It is Marpa’s gift to you, child. The snowcat daughter destined to join with the dragon. I wonder if even Marpa could have foreseen that you would bring not one, but two dragons?” A faint smile touched the corners of the old man’s mouth as he continued his progress around the room.
“What is she meant to do with the amulet?” Connor asked. “Do your legends say anything more?”
Grandfather turned just his head to give Connor a quizzical look. Oh, the old man knew something. Josie was familiar with that raised eyebrow and the inscrutable expression. Her grandfather knew much more than he was telling. Perhaps he was drawing out the tale to buy time. Chances are, without the twins’ help, he would never see this cave again. He had to get a good long look while he could.
Josie sent him a small, knowing grin that was answered with a slight, approving tilt of the old man’s head. Even after all these years away from his influence, she understood her grandfather.
“I don’t know that she’s meant to do anything with the amulet, but I do know the artifact has immense power of its own, imbued to it by the great wizard, Marpa, eons ago. Josephine is a daughter of the line of Marpa. Some of his blood flows in her veins, all these generations later. She should be able to tap into the magic he left behind for his granddaughter many times over. It was left for her. It was meant for her.”
“But what can it do?” Darius insisted.
Her grandfather turned fully to face them. “I believe it is the key, along with your dragon amulets, to crossing the boundary between our world and yours.”
Chapter Eight
The men looked stunned. Darius and Connor looked at each other with expressions that went from shock to hope to eager anticipation in the space of seconds. Then they turned that intensity on her.
“We can go home?” Darius asked, his voice barely a whisper.
“I don’t know,” she answered honestly. “I guess so. If that’s what Marpa intended.”
“It is.” All three looked at the snowcat patriarch. His voice echoed through the ice cavern with strength and surety. He knew something she didn’t. There was no doubt. “It is part of the teachings that have been preserved. The daughter of snowcat will join with the dragon to defeat Marpa’s enemies in the dragon realm.”
“If Marpa was a wizard, his enemies would be…” Darius began.
“…other wizards.” Connor finished the thought.
“Evil wizards,” her grandfather confirmed, nodding sagely. “Marpa was on the side of light. He passed his teachings to us. He gave us instruction on how to live to achieve enlightenment. Few know that before he passed down his teachings to the mortal world, he fought great battles against the evil ones of his own kind. In the peace that followed victory, those who were left began to teach the lesser beings the path of truth and enlightenment.” Her grandfather began to examine the carvings once more. “Marpa and those like him brought peace to our world, but in winning the battle, most magic was dispersed. Except for creatures like us—those who can tap into the magic that was left to shift form—there is little real magic in this world anymore. Not like it was when Marpa and his fellows battled an evil as great as their power for good. Their battles fractured the magic in this world. I gather from your words, your world is not like this.”
“No, it’s not. Our wizards battled too, in the distant past, and were thought to be extinct,” Connor told him. “Only recently have we discovered at least one of the prevailing good wizards went into seclusion after the last great battle. The wizard Gryffid is alive and well in his island fortress, living among the fair folk and his creations, the gryphons.”
“These fair folk,” Grandfather repeated the strange name as if tasting it. “Are they magical folk? And the gryphons?”
“Yes, very magical. Fair folk live in hidden enclaves, it is said, all around our world. They often go out into human society, disguised as warriors or bards. They have sweet voices and lightning reflexes, enhanced by their own intrinsic magic,” Connor explained.
“And gryphons are as magical in their way as dragons,” Darius stated. “Our dragon friends have their own kind of magic and can heal others when they manifest the Dragon’s Breath. They also speak mind to mind with those who can hear them and can detect many kinds of magic.”
“Are there many other creatures and peoples in your world that make such casual use of magic?” her grandfather asked. He was driving home a point, and she knew he wouldn’t relent until they all saw it and understood his meaning.
“Yes,” Darius answered carefully. “I only know for certain about those I have encountered myself, but there are stories from other kingdoms and lands. Magic is an integral part of the fabric of our world.”
The old man sighed heavily, and his brows drew together. “Sadly, it is not that way here. Surely you’ve felt the lack since you’ve been in this world. Whatever magic there once was has been scattered and submerged, hidden by the last of the great wizards. They probably thought it was too dangerous to leave lying around for those who came after them. Who knows if their decision was correct? We only must deal with what we have.” His spine straightened. “So now we have a very powerful magical artifact with everything but your name on it, granddaughter. It is for you to discover how to utilize it, and for you to decide when—and if—to use it.”
Josie didn’t like the heavy feeling in the pit of her stomach as the responsibility settled squarely on her shoulders. Suddenly, her grandfather stopped moving in his examination of the cave. She didn’t have time to worry more about her troubles as he motioned them all to draw near.
The twins went first, protecting her in that old-fashioned way of theirs. She’d have to break them of the habit, but for now it was oddly comforting.
“What is it?” she asked from behind as three big men blocked her view.
Darius and Connor parted silently, and she faced her grandfather and the ice wall. Behind an elaborate dragon carving was a clearly visible line of some sparkly metal. As she looked up and down its length, she realized the thing had to be about seven feet long, with a larger piece on either end that she couldn’t make out through the ice covering.
“Touch the dragon’s heart and all will be revealed,” Grandfather instructed.
“Which one of us?” Darius asked, looking confused.
Connor grinned challengingly at his twin. “How about both?”
The twins reached out together, and as they touched the heart of the dragon—a dragon that was wearing the armor she’d seen them wear, now that she had a better view of the carving—the ice disappeared.
Not one, but two gleaming spears were revealed.
“Take them. They are yours,” her grandfather intoned as she moved away, standing off to one side. “These are the Wizard’s Lances, once used by the elite leaders of Marpa’s armies, now passed to you who battle evil in another realm.”
Josie got her first good look at the gleaming silver and gold lances. They were basically three-pointed spearheads on top, with a counterbalance on the other end that looked like the ball of a giant mace, with lethal, sparkling sharpened spikes.
“I feel the magic in this weapon,” Darius commented as he hefted the center of the staff, moved into the open part of the chamber and gave it an experimental twirl.
“It is perfectly balanced,” Connor agreed, on the other side of the chamber, going through some practice moves with the glittering weapon.
They were impressive. Not only were they dragons with superior strength, but they were students of the fighting arts who had superior skill in their human forms as well. She saw her grandfather watching them with a critical but approving eye as they tested the new weapons and put them through their paces.
“Your mates do you proud, granddaughter,” he told her as she stood by his side. They watched the twins perform mirror versions of some strange but clearly advanced staff kata. They were both acrobatic and strong with ideal rhythm and absolute concentration. And they were perfectly matched.
“They’re amazing, aren’t they?” She couldn’t help the bubble of pride that entered her voice.
“Two more talented masters I have never had the privilege to see,” he agreed quietly. High praise indeed, from a snowcat elder who had studied and taught martial arts his entire life. “They bring honor to our Clan, as do you, granddaughter.”
Josie felt a tear gather in the corner of her eye, but refused to let it fall. She had always craved her grandfather’s acceptance. To have it when she was about to embark on the most uncertain time in her life of uncertainty, meant more than he would ever know.
The twins came to a halt at the end of their kata, facing each other at exactly the same moment. Then grins spread across their faces.
“I think they like the gift, grandfather,” Josie joked as the twins walked slowly back toward them.
Before anyone could speak, the snowcat elder moved forward, to face all three of them. “I believe I now understand the true meaning of the ancient teachings. From what you have told me, there is war being fought against Marpa’s enemies in your world. You must return to fight it and with you must go my beloved granddaughter. She is the key. With her power, and your own, when the three amulets are joined, you may travel between our worlds. It cannot be done lightly, but it can be done. And you will take with you the gifts of Marpa, the Wizard’s Lances, so that you may defeat your enemies, the enemies of light and goodness.”
They stayed in the cave until the light began to fade, so Josie’s grandfather could take a good long look around and say a few respectful words in thanks to Marpa and those who had come before. Darius and Connor, surprisingly, added their formal words of thanks for the gift of the Wizard’s Lances, the amulets and their mate. That final bit touched Josie’s heart and she echoed their prayers, following the example set by the men.
The dragons were welcomed this time as they returned to the village, and the elders gathered to hear what Josie’s grandfather had to tell them about their pilgrimage. They didn’t go far, though. It seemed everyone else had been busy while they’d been away and a sort of feast was waiting, at which Darius, Connor and Josie were to be the guests of honor.
She was flabbergasted by the idea. Only half-snowcat, Josie had never been feted by these people in her youth. In fact, more often than not, she’d gotten the idea that they disapproved of her Western ways, even her Western face.
That all seemed to be in the past. At least for the villagers. They had rolled out the figurative welcome mat for the dragons and their new mate, and the cynical side of Josie wanted to sneer at their sudden change of heart. The little girl inside who’d wanted their approval so badly felt different.
Josie tried to strike a happy medium, smiling through the meal and the celebrations that followed. Most wanted to talk to Darius and Connor, of course. A few of the more polite souls inquired after her with real interest. She’d had some friends in the village, after all, it seemed.
As Darius and Connor discussed their land and its troubles, Josie started to feel the same urgency they felt. She knew they wanted desperately to go home, but she was scared. There was no question she wanted to be with them, wherever they ended up, of course. Still, the idea of leaving her world behind completely to enter a realm in which she had no experience, no knowledge, with a war going on was frightening.
Her mates would be by her side. She had to keep reminding herself of that. They would help her as she learned about their world.
“Rest easy, granddaughter.” The snowcat patriarch had snuck up on her while she’d been engrossed in her own thoughts. The twins were busy talking to a small group of elders, and she’d been momentarily left alone.
“I’m not sure I’m strong enough to start a new life in their world, Grandfather.” She needed his guidance. She needed his counsel, now more than ever before.
“This is the fate your karma has brought you, child. Believe it or not, you have done this before. It is something you are good at. Have no doubt. This is what you are meant to do. To bring light to a threatened world and the magic of the snowcat that is strong within you.”
“What do you mean, I’ve done this before?” She was truly puzzled by his words.
“Think back to when you were a child. When your mother died and I came for you. That lonely child was brave enough to follow where I led, though she had never seen me before. You started a new life in a new land with customs that were strange to you and people who were not entirely ready to accept you. Yet you prospered. Then, a few years later, you did it again by striking out on your own and making a life for yourself in America. You prospered there as well, without the help you could easily have gotten from other cat Clans. They would have revered you. They would have given you any assistance you needed. Yet you forged your own way and made a success of it. Why do you think you will fail now?” He gave her a kind smile. “Especially with two warriors of such caliber beside you. Two warriors who love you. Two warriors who would give their lives for you.”
Her eyes teared as she looked at her men, so strong and supportive, so loving and gentle, so fierce and magical. Her grandfather was right, as he usually was. Darius and Connor would be there for her in their land. They would be together. That’s all that really mattered.
Impulsively, she leaned forward to give her grandfather a hug. He returned it, squeezing her close and placing a kiss on her cheek. She felt the emotion of the moment and knew she had finally achieved one of her childhood goals. She had her grandfather’s approval. It meant more than she would have believed.
“Thank you, Grandfather.” They broke apart, and she saw his aged eyes glistening with emotion. Her own eyes welled with more tears, but smiles wreathed both faces.
“You will go tonight. After the feast.” Josie was stymied by her grandfather’s abrupt words. “The longer you delay, the harder it will be to leave and the more desperate the situation in their land will grow. As snowcats, it is our sacred duty to oppose evil wherever we find it and seek the goodness in men, show them the light. We use our magic to foster enlightenment. You must now do the same. You must carry our banner into your new world to fight at your mates’ side.”
She felt at sea. She’d just finally found peace with her grandfather, and now he was sending her on her way.
“Will I ever see you again?”
“In time, child. So the ancient teachings say. The voyage between our worlds cannot be made lightly. You hold the power—along with your mates—to do so at will. After the crisis in their world is resolved, you will return here. So the snowcat decrees. And I will be here to welcome you and hear of your adventures.”
She thought she read knowledge of the future in his canny expression. “You know more, don’t you?”
An inscrutable smile graced his lined face. “That is for me to know, and you to find out. Of course, I am not a snowcat elder for nothing.”
“I thought so.” She hugged him, laughing with him as her heavy heart lightened. She would see him again. For now, it was enough to know that as she embarked on the next part of her life. The life of a mated woman with two handsome men as her partners on their journey. It would probably be a perilous journey, at that, but with Darius and Connor at her side, she could do almost anything.
It was Darius’s turn to act as her ride this time, since Connor had shuttled her back down the mountain earlier that day. The amulets had turned into gleaming armor breastplates on each black dragon. They posed for pictures, adding to the surrealistic feel of the moment as Josie said farewell to her grandfather. She pressed the keys to her cabin and car into his hands.
“For anyone who needs a place of peace away from here,” she told him. “The cabin is isolated near the top of a mountain. I think some of my cousins might like to use it.” Josie looked over at the girls she remembered from her youth and wanted them to be able to spread their wings as she had done—if they dared.
