A time and place for mag.., p.7
A Time and Place for Magic, page 7
Chapter 13 – The Quest
As promised, Claudia and her sisters arrived promptly at 8am the next morning. Jade was still unsure what to think about their new leadership within the Coven. In the months Jade had not seen them, Claudia had become more assertive than she’d ever known her to be. Jade felt instinctively that Claudia was herding them towards something important and because of their abilities, she felt she needed to trust the sisters. However, there was something in the way that Lacy and Atrea looked to Claudia, like they were holding back important details. During the previous night’s questioning of Lightfoot, Claudia, Atrea and Lacy had looked at one another frequently as if to reassure each other. This feeling nagged at her, but she knew it would do no good to cause others to doubt Claudia by bringing it up. They had something important to do, so she kept her thoughts to herself.
Jade had taken the time to bake fresh blueberry muffins and their smell filled the room. She set a tall pot of coffee in the middle of the kitchen table. The worn, steep backed chairs were inviting, and she found herself sitting with Miranda, Gordon and Rachel rehashing the recent past events while the sisters stood sipping their coffee, gossiping about the men in their lives.
Lightfoot silently appeared from the hallway; his black braid hung damp down his back. He had on a new plaid shirt with blocks of red and black, dark blue jeans and a worn pair of brown boots that gave the impression he was prepared and ready to go.
Jade grabbed a mug and escorted Lightfoot over to the table for coffee and muffins. Gordon scooted his chair out of their way, careful not to bump Miranda who sat wide legged to make room for her ripening belly. Rachel nodded at Lightfoot when he made eye contact with her. There was unspoken respect between the two of them and Jade wasn’t sure if she should be jealous or grateful that Rachel had taken a liking to him. Lightfoot turned with a full mug of coffee in one hand, a warm muffin in the other, and a subtle nod as a thank you to Jade. He proceeded to settle cross legged on the floor, in the same spot as the night before.
Claudia again dominated the conversation, deciding on their departure date and delegating responsibilities and transportation. They would leave in one weeks’ time and Claudia made it clear that they were up against an enemy that would not hesitate to kill.
“We’ve all heard Jade and Rachel’s story about the creatures they encountered when rescuing Lightfoot. We might end up facing something even worse. Some of the Dark Lord’s servants, especially the smaller types, would have been the most apt to have broken through the wall. We know one almost got Jade at a rest stop on her way to find Lightfoot. They are quick and we must stay alert.”
Rachel looked at Jade surprised. Jade shrugged her shoulders and shook her head. She hadn’t told anyone about the rest stop portion of their trip. It seemed so trivial compared to all the other dangers they had encountered but now connecting the pieces of the puzzle from that night, she understood the sisters must have helped her escape.
After being tasked with guiding them to the gate, Lightfoot added, “These things don’t like flame and will even shy away from bright light. I would suggest everyone be armed with a torch and a weapon.”
When everyone except Rachel had left, Jade polished off the last muffin, sitting in the chair closest to Lightfoot. Rachel stood up straight as if to also say her goodbyes but paused, her lips formed a thin line, and her eyes squinted in thought.
“Did you know the sisters have been training Miranda and Gordon over the last few months? I overheard Miranda mention it and Lacy and Atrea acted funny about it like maybe it was supposed to be a secret.”
Jade tried to hide her surprise. It tugged at something in the back of her mind, but she did her best to reassure Rachel that the sisters knew what they were doing given they had their sight to guide them. After Rachel left, Jade was alone with her own thoughts, and she began to truly question what the triplets were doing.
The day of their departure arrived. Rachel pulled up in a big, square camper trailer. The sisters and Gordon all poured out of the camper section walking briskly towards Jade’s house as it was exceptionally cold. At least the snow was old but still crusted. Even if the sidewalk hadn’t been cleaned and salted, it still would have made for sure footing.
Miranda knew she wouldn’t be much help with loading the supplies into the trailer and so she remained inside observing everything from the comfort of the small couch window. Fortunately, Lightfoot had everything stacked by Jade’s front door. Between him and the rest of the group, the supplies were loaded almost as quickly as Jade could lock her front door. She asked for a minute and walked over to her next-door neighbor with whom she left a key. The old woman promised she would keep an eye on the place while Jade was away.
As Jade came bouncing enthusiastically towards the camper, Miranda couldn’t help but notice that the snow withdrew at the edges of the walkway, revealing a little bit of grass, which turned a bright green. Miranda grasped her pregnant belly, laughing at Jade’s childish enthusiasm while feeling a little awestruck at Jade’s growing powers.
Gordon sat in the front passenger seat next to Rachel who was taking the first shift at driving. Miranda had never been to Arizona. All she could envision was a lot of cactus and rocks, but the way everyone went on about Sedona, she felt she had it all wrong. It sounded more like some magical, mountain utopia.
They took their time traveling, stopping for each meal and rest stop to which Miranda’s bladder never said no. Even so, after two days the flat land became hills which grew into mountains. The rocks changed from grays to oranges and reds. On their final leg, they followed Highway 89 south and a little creek appeared at the side of the road. It seemed to welcome them flowing silently beneath the leafless trees stretching high up into the sky. They stood like leafless guardians at the entrance to a secret city on both sides of the road.
At last the trees gave way and the steep mountainside opened up into a valley with stunning pillars of red rocks holding up a pure blue sky. They drove into the little tourist town. Shops and restaurants still bustled with people even though it was technically their slow season. Rachel drove them to the outskirts where she had reserved an RV site with bathroom and laundry facilities. It would make living with seven other people somewhat bearable. Before leaving the RV, Claudia instructed them all to relax the rest of the day because they would leave early the next morning to find the Gatekeeper.
Miranda and Gordon took it easy, walking to a nearby cafe for a late lunch followed by a nap. She still wasn’t sure she could make the hike the next day, but the sisters reassured her that she would finish it. At dinner time, they all pitched in for a kind of potluck. It was a little of everything they could find nearby. From fast food to gourmet leftover sliders, no one went to bed hungry that night, but no one slept soundly either.
Before the sun rose, chirping birds woke Jade in the predawn hour leaving her to wonder about the coming day. She begrudgingly got up after staring at the ceiling unable to fall back asleep. She started a large pot of coffee and soon the entire group began to stir. Within a few minutes everyone was up, getting their things together and grabbing something to eat. In short order, everything was cleaned up and they gathered around the sisters at the small kitchen table trying to get a good look at the map spread out on the table. Their trip would consist of only about a mile hike to one of the many lesser-known vortexes, often overlooked by tourists and locals.
Lightfoot handed out to all of them a small leather pouch with curious designs sewn into each of them. Miranda ran her fingers over hers. It felt as if it contained several small objects, possibly pebbles and carved wood pieces. It had a string so that they could be worn around the neck. Lightfoot insisted that everyone wear them as a ward against the Dark Lord and his followers. Then Jade guided the group in a protection spell as they all held hands and called to the four corners to watch over them in their quest.
The hike wasn’t too steep for most of the group, but Miranda needed frequent stops and so they took their time. Jade still didn’t like the fact Miranda wasn’t safely at home, but she had to trust that the sisters knew what they were doing. Except for Miranda, each of them hiked with a pack full of supplies.
Despite the danger they might face, Miranda was spellbound by the scenery. Bright rust and sand colors were baked into the rocks, giving an otherworldly feel to the terrain as they walked. The birds swooped through the air and small squirrels chattered at the trespassers from the safety of the entrances to their homes. The trees were scarce here, and only the truly determined caught a foothold in just the right crevice or rare patch of ground; however, their triumph made it that much more special. The blue-sky overhead was cloudless and none of them could imagine anything dark or sinister in a place like this.
It was still chilly by the time they arrived, but even so, each of them could sense the vortex as they approached. It was like a warm pulse of invisible light pulling at them, drawing them near. There was palpable surprise when the group found that it did not appear to be anything special. It was just a flat area atop the last hill. There were a few trees up against a sharp incline giving the impression of a wall. The energy was like a warm glow all around them, lifting all of their spirits despite their fears of the unknown.
They rested for a bit before setting up camp. Lightfoot put their unlit torches up first, forming them in a half semi-circle with the rock wall at their back. To the others, it looked like some kind of medieval fence surrounding them, but Lightfoot knew that these torches would be an important part of their defense. Jade cleansed the area with her sage. Its smoke wafted throughout the camp as she made her way to every part of it. Lacy and Atrea started coughing, pretending the smoke was suffocating, and laughing at their own cleverness. Jade did her best to ignore them, avoiding eye contact while she finished.
Snuffing out the remainder of her sage, Jade called out to the four corners, asking them to bless the space with protection and safety. Little spring flowers popped up all around her, and the trees close by turned a shade greener. Rachel motioned to Jade from across the camp, drawing attention to her altered surroundings. She shrugged and batted her eyelashes as if she were a devious criminal pretending to be innocent of all charges.
After they had all settled in, most of them took up spots underneath the small canopy they had erected in the center of the camp. Lightfoot, however, was busy building something with rocks stacked atop each other. He didn’t ask for help and when Jade offered, he politely turned her down. When he finished it looked to them like a small altar, the rocks stacked expertly so that they made a small column about a meter off the ground, supporting one oversized, flat stone.
After completing the structure, Lightfoot set about retrieving dried herbs from his pack. He mixed a small collection of them which he burned in a plain metal bowl on the altar. He breathed in the smoke and chanted words that none of them understood. In response came a breeze and a rush of energy. It drew in a gentle swirl of dust and leaves all around them. A bright green light formed in front of the altar and widened in a zigzag formation like a hovering thunderbolt from which a voice said something that only Lightfoot understood. He fell to the ground, his hands outstretched and his head nearly touching the ground in subservience to the light. Jade thought she glimpsed a tear slip down his face.
After a few minutes of conversation between Lightfoot and the green light, it spoke to them all. While they couldn’t see the source of the voice they listened to the Gatekeeper as he shared with them the story of how he came to serve. He started by telling them of the magical races who left the old world for Athra. It was a place where they had learned to live together in harmony and used magic for the greater good. Then his tale turned to the man from many centuries ago who would become the Dark Lord, King Zenrak.
His wife, Shalia, was raised in a distant land of women who practiced magic and devoted their lives to their gods. One day she wandered too far into the mists that surrounded her home and found herself in the realm of Fae. She lived amongst the Fae for many years in perfect happiness and came to learn a great many things about magic and their world. At long last they sent her away but not to the land from which she came. Instead, they sent her to Athra.
Zenrak, a young prince, was immediately taken with her when they met at the harvest festival. It is said they fell instantly in love. Their courtship was a whirlwind of romance and were soon married. The elder king passed within a few years and Shalia and Zenrak assumed the throne and the responsibilities of governing the human kingdom. It was after five years that Queen Shalia finally became pregnant and when the time came for her to deliver, King Zenrak was killed in a hunting accident. The Queen’s baby boy was still born and in a horrific state of despair, Queen Shalia called upon forbidden magic and brought her husband back to life. She paid a terrible price to do so, giving up her own life, and in the process rending the barrier between life and death for Zenrak.
The fateful spell had an unintended consequence and ravaged Zenrak’s mind and soul, filling him with a darkness that left an unimaginable lust for power. Shalia having passed all her powers and knowledge on to him, inadvertently created the being that we fight now. His plague of power has continued to spread since that time, corrupting or killing all in his path until very little remains outside of his reach. He has decimated almost every forest, grassland and lake except the few that are protected by Lightfoot’s people and those held by the last Elf tribe. Vast stretches of blackened earth are all that remain. He feeds on the earth itself now, drawing power from its bowels and he desires to spread his dominion over your world. The Wall and my fellow gatekeepers are all that stand in his way.
When the Gatekeeper finished, no one moved or spoke. The source of the voice emerged from the green light, an old man with silver hair and ancient milky eyes. His hair and eyebrows were so overgrown he appeared more animal than man.
“My life is almost spent,” his voice creaked with the effort. “I have known for some time my time is drawing to a close, but I must confess to something, a terrible burden, before it is too late.” His gaze shifted to Lightfoot. “I am responsible for the wave of the Dark Lord’s servants that slipped through and nearly killed you.”
Lightfoot protested, “There were too many of them and there was nothing you or any of the rest of us could have done.”
The Gatekeeper looked on kindly as if humoring Lightfoot, before slowly turning to sit atop the altar and pulled his withered, liver spotted legs into a sitting position. Gazing out at his small audience, he pushed aside his unruly gray hair and continued.
“Tonight, they come for me again. They sense my weakness but with all of your help I believe we can defeat them. Magic can only sustain a body for so long.”
He looked steadily at Lightfoot and said, “At the end of this battle, I would ask that you take my place. Take time to think about what I ask. This path will extend your life, long past that of any human you know, and you will be responsible for the lives of those in both worlds. I have seen your courage and know your soul. You blame yourself for my failure, but it was mine alone. I have learned that arrogance is more costly than failure, but my hope is you and your friends can help me redeem myself tonight. Knowing that you will succeed me would give my mind and soul the solace it seeks.”
Lightfoot went and kneeled at the feet of the old man bowing his head. “I do not deserve such an honor but walking where you have walked and protecting those you protect, is all I have ever wanted. I say yes to you and swear my life to protecting the Wall.” Without lifting his head, he pounded his chest with his right fist in affirmation of his oath.
The Gatekeeper did his best to smile, his deeply wrinkled face hiding much of it. He put his hands on each side of Lightfoot’s face and pulled him up, touching forehead to forehead. There was a sense of nostalgia and finality in the Gatekeeper’s eyes.
“It is done then. Ready yourselves for battle my friends for tonight we fight the great fight and then my soul will finally know peace.” With that he turned and disappeared into the green light, the zigzag caving in behind him.
Still kneeling, Lightfoot looked in the direction the Gatekeeper had gone. Behind him discussions erupted, and confusion ensued. It was Gordon who said, “Enough, we must get Miranda to safety. No disrespect to you sisters, but this is too dangerous. This is more than any of us thought and no place for her right now.”
A part of Miranda wanted to shout back at Gordon that she was as capable as anyone here, but another part of her wanted to protect the babies at all cost. Even though her abilities had grown since the sisters began training her, a part of her knew that risking her unborn children was selfish.
The sisters remained oddly subdued while Gordon spoke but when the silence returned, all eyes turned to them. Claudia stood and spoke, “Her life is in danger anywhere. Sitting at home or in the camper would just make it easier for them. The way forward is going to be difficult but keeping her here with us is the only path we see. Miranda, if you decide to leave, we won’t stand in your way.”
Gordon put his arm around Miranda protectively, “You mean they’re hunting her?”
“Yes, the Dark Lord wants the elf child, but there is more at stake here than you know. We see a future where all the world's unborn children are somehow affected by the outcome of this battle.” Claudia’s demeanor was both sincere and fearful.
Gordon knew he was in over his head but felt suddenly he was no longer in control and that was something he couldn’t afford to feel right now.
Composing his voice as best he could, he asked, “What’s going to happen to the kids in our world? Is it gonna affect our children?
This time Atrea spoke, her timid voice cracking. “Gordon, I’m so sorry.... I have spent hours upon hours with the tapestry, trying to follow individual strings but I can’t be certain what it is that happens tonight. I do know that if we fail the world's future children will be changed by strange powers, to the Dark Lord’s benefit.”
