Deep magic second coll.., p.60
Deep Magic - Second Collection, page 60
part #2 of Deep Magic Collection Series
“Wait.” Annie held up a hand for them to stop. Sulking did nothing but waste her time, and often the best information was spilt from the mouths of children.
The boys rushed to Annie’s side. One boy wore his black hair cropped at his shoulders, with simple metal hoops in his ears. He laid out an intricately woven blanket and several bright pillows. He bowed his head and retreated to the priest waiting on the path. The other boy was taller with his hair pulled into a ponytail away from his pale face. He lingered, the chalice in his trembling hand. Alone, Annie was about to prod him for information when the boy spoke.
“Are you from the future, too?” he whispered.
Annie blinked. “What?”
Tikhama stood on the path, too distant to listen to their conversation, but he could see Annie’s face. She exhaled, forcing her shoulders to drop and took the cup from the boy’s hand.
“How many gate-jumps have you done?” Annie whispered.
The boy looked skyward, color returning to his face. “If by gate-jump, you mean having my mind taken over and then getting sucked through a time warp, then this is my first. I’ve been here for two days.” He paused. “My name is Olivia.”
Annie’s grip tightened on the chalice. The person in front of her was a young woman pretending to be a boy. She couldn’t be older than twelve — younger than Annie had been on her first mission. Now that Annie’s portal was almost complete, she was overlapping with another sibling as Hannah had with her so many years ago.
Hannah had faith Annie could find the portal-piece before dusk, but finding it while teaching Olivia to survive the Grim Witch’s elaborate game would be a challenge. Annie wanted to scour the area around the Well, but she also needed to mentor Olivia.
Annie could spare a little time for teaching and then return to search in peace. With a little exploring and concentration, the portal wouldn’t take long to find. In the meantime, she’d check in the other obvious locations in the city, just to be safe. Besides, Hannah always taught through doing, not mind-numbing lectures, so exploring the city would give Annie a chance to search for the portal and instruct Olivia at the same time. Annie beckoned to the priest to return to her side.
“Follow my lead,” she muttered. There wasn’t a moment to waste.
“To celebrate tonight’s sacrifice, I request a feast. And this young man will be my honored guest. I sense he will do great things for the city,” Annie announced. “I also request the other boy as my guide so I might honor the places where Hanaa frequented.”
“These young ones do not know of the priestess as I did. Let me guide you. It would be my honor.” Tikhama bowed, his feathers almost brushing Annie’s face.
Annie hid her frustration by taking a sip of wine from the chalice. Already a misstep. She should have guessed the priest would offered his assistance. The people would be distracted by preparing for the feast, but an eavesdropping leader posed a problem. But the die was cast, and Olivia needed to learn that flexibility was another key to survival.
“A superior alternative. Thank you,” Annie said.
The sun gathered strength as they wove through the city. Annie created opportunities to teach as she could. When Tikhama directed them to the tent where Hanaa had lived, Annie silently explored the canvas-topped dwelling.
The first lesson: Let a nod suffice where words might be expected.
Annie crossed Hannah’s home off her list, finding no trace of magic.
Where the prophetess helped weave nets, children laughed and sang while their fingers nimbly braided. Perhaps as a child, Tikhama wove and sang along side Hannah in this very place. Annie longed to speak with her sister again. It had been several years since she’d seen her or heard from her. Why hadn’t Annie taken her time on her first missions with her sister?
Annie commented as the children wove. “Sometimes young ones are anxious to finish the task and move forward as quickly as possible, feeling it’s a race to be won. However, the true, valiant winner slows down and enjoys each moment in time.” She emphasized the last two words.
The second lesson: Take your time and find happiness along the way.
The priest raised an eyebrow, but nodded and continued his tour as people peered through windows, around their baskets of goods, or from behind their parent’s legs. As each hour passed, Annie grew more uneasy. However, every time she was about to request to return to the Well, she would think about Hannah. Her mentor had sacrificed her own resources to help Annie whenever possible, and Annie was determined to do the same for Olivia. Besides, Hannah had all but pointed out the exact location of Annie’s portal piece. There was still time to train and then search later.
The sun burned overhead. Sweat beaded on Annie’s face and back as they tread through the muggy jungle. Although most of the Mayans were resting before returning to their preparations for the feast, Tikhama obliged when Annie requested they continue. He led them to where Hanaa was known to pick wild fruit. The trees were alive with bright green lizards and the squawks of birds high up in the tree canopy.
Annie copied the priest, plucking a sweet mango from a low hanging branch. She wondered how she could convey the third lesson: The Witch gets creative.
Annie wanted to describe her own puzzle pieces to Olivia. The weight and shape of the silver half-coin, Annie’s first piece, would be an excellent example. Subsequent pieces were made of thin copper, colored glass, or even fishing line.
Olivia laid a blanket on the ground on which to sit and eat the simple flat bread and mango. Though Annie itched to search the Well, she remained alert for other signs left behind by her mentor. The portal could be anything. During an early mission Annie had been cleaning up an 1880’s laboratory when she was portal’ed back after touching a piece of coiled wire. Tesla’s mind never fully recovered from that experience, per the history books she’d later read.
Sometimes you lose, but it’s still better than dying. Hannah’s words were sometimes laced with bitter sarcasm.
After eleven years, Annie had learned to follow Hannah’s advice from the beginning: Embrace the journey and do good.
Despite their shared tragedies, life marched on. Hannah emphasized it was a choice to wallow in bitterness or find the moments of joy amidst the chaos.
In the beginning, Annie had been anxious to finish the witch’s cruel puzzle. But as the years passed, Annie had to overcome the crushing sadness and guilt that overwhelmed her and accept her situation. Even if she managed to portal-jump home at that very moment, no enchanted timepiece would turn back the clock and make her fourteen again. She’d return to her family aged, scarred and, like Tesla, seemingly crazy. Even if her family believed it was a reverse Flight of the Navigator situation, she could never get back those eleven years with them.
Back in Chichén Itzá, the priest’s tour lead to the bathhouse. The pungent smell of minerals filled the air. Running her fingers over the pale, carved stones, Annie marveled at how the natural light bounced off the walls through the many open windows placed high above their heads. In the center of the room, steaming water, the size of a swimming pool, bubbled in a happy melody. Still, beyond the mystical nature of the building’s facade and function, Annie didn’t feel any magic. Hannah had tried to make this portal easier, but the witch had thrown an Olivia-sized wrench into Hannah’s carefully laid plans.
Olivia poked Annie’s arm. Tikhama was speaking to Annie. What had he said? Annie focused on the echo of his words in the back of her brain.
“Yes, I am ready for the feast,” Annie’s stomach knotted. The day was spent, and her window for instruction and finding the portal almost closed. “Before I go, I also foresee something: this young man shall practice in the art of healing. Construct a small dwelling near the bathhouse so he can tend to the sick, but only after they have bathed in these waters. I feel it is Chac’Mol’s will.”
The priest tilted his head forward, the red feathers on his head arching in the breeze. “It will be our honor.”
“It is Chac’Mol’s will for this boy to save many lives, though his instincts cannot bridge the gap in his knowledge. He must study under the hand of other great healers,” Annie said.
As Tikhama guided them back to the pyramid, away from the massive bathhouse and smaller, structures that surrounded it, Olivia shot Annie an exasperated glare. “I hate the sight of blood.”
The sisters slowed, letting Tikhama out of earshot.
Annie whispered, “To live to the end of this twisted game, you need skills. Watch your pride, these people aren’t as primitive as you might assume. There is much they can teach you that will help you survive future challenges.”
Olivia frowned, but Annie continued before the girl could protest. “Besides, your knowledge can help them, too. Like the dangers of mosquitoes, for example. And practical sanitation, like your seemingly ‘strange ritual’ of cleaning your hands before babies are delivered, will save many lives. You can learn and do good at the same time. Trust me.”
Annie patted Olivia’s arm as they neared the clearing around the pyramid. “Find your artifact and know where it is at all times, but do not touch it until you’re ready to gate-pull away. No one appreciates being lied to, so leave before anyone suspects.”
The area around the pyramid was transformed. Bright colored tents with open sides filled the previously empty space to form a circle with rugs, pillows, and lanterns underneath. In the center of the tent-ring, pigs roasted on spits. Yams and other vegetables cooked on the coals beneath. Normally, the smell would have made Annie’s mouth water, but with the lengthening shadows her stomach only churned. She scanned the sky. The sun had sunk below the thick canopy of trees. About an hour until dusk.
Annie scurried up to Tikhama.
“I would like time to contemplate the magnitude of the evening. I will spend a few minutes alone at the Sacred Well before returning for the feast,” Annie said.
“Would you like refreshment or comfort?” Tikhama asked, snapping his fingers for Olivia to fetch some pillows from under the nearest tent.
Annie shook her head. “The boy will escort me and then return to his place here to assist with preparations.”
After a momentary pause, the priest spoke. “It is an honor to feast with the Pinnacle Sacrifice. Only a great soul, anointed by the gods, will finally satisfy this age-long ritual.”
He bowed low, his knees bent, the feathers grazing Annie’s navel. With a quick nod, Annie turned and followed Olivia to the Well.
“The priest suspects I won’t fulfill Hanaa’s prophecy,” Annie whispered as a group of smiling children skipped past them toward the tents.
“If you jump into the Well, you’ll die. It’s not an option,” Olivia said, her voice tight.
“I didn’t realize until Tikhama made it very clear, the Pinnacle Sacrifice means last sacrifice? Even if I had my portal, how can I leave knowing I could have stopped this bloody tradition, but didn’t?” Annie marched ahead, her mind torn. If she left without a sufficient show the Mayan’s would suspect Olivia wasn’t what Annie had claimed — an enormous risk for Olivia.
Finally alone, steps away from the Well, Annie grabbed Olivia’s arm. “This is probably our only chance to speak privately, so listen closely. First, portal away the minute you find yourself getting too comfortable because that’s when you’re likely to make a big mistake. Secondly, take as long as you can here. Every portal is tougher to —.”
Olivia interrupted, her words ragged, anguish twisting her face. “This can’t be happening.”
With a shock, Annie recognized the suffering. All afternoon she’d focused on the business of surviving, forgetting the emotional turmoil of a new sibling. Annie flinched remembering the once fresh, jagged hole in her heart.
Annie pulled the young girl into her arms. “I’m sorry. It’s been over ten years since I was torn from my family, and I forgot that initial shock and devastation. I wish I could give you space to process what’s happening. All I can say is that it’s real; this is happening. Breathe. You can do this. I was about your age when I started my journey.”
Olivia pushed away from Annie’s embrace, tears streaking down the girl’s round cheeks. “You’re leaving me alone in a time I’ve barely heard of. I don’t know their rules. I don’t know anything about medicine. I’m not even a boy! I don’t want to do this. I want to go home!”
“Hush, hush.” Annie put her hands out. The last thing Olivia needed was to lose the internal battle raging inside her. Annie glanced at the empty jungle before continuing. “Take a deep breath. Women throughout time have hidden as men, even in times of war on the battlefront. Focus on something else. What did your first puzzle piece look like? Picture it in your mind.”
Olivia wiped her eyes, hiccupping as she spoke. “It looked like a regular geode. You know, the ones with crystals inside. Totally beautiful, with all different colors of blue, turquoise and teal. But still, a regular geode from a street fair merchant.”
“Did it have a strange layer of color in the rock? Gray on the outside, but where it was cut, a visible layer of bright pink, then the blue crystals inside?” Annie asked.
Olivia nodded and wiped her nose. “A neon green layer, like a stripe, but yes. How did you know?”
“I collected a similar artifact a few years back.” Odd, Hannah had never mentioned any likeness between their artifacts. Did she not know about the similarities?
Annie continued, “You need to collect these pieces. They range from wood, to jewels, to metals. I’ve even heard of someone getting a piece of gilded bone. My pieces range from the size of a dime to as big as a dinner plate.”
The minutes rushed by as Annie and Olivia continued toward the Well, huddled in urgent conversation.
“I don’t know what happened to the geode. It wasn’t with me when I arrived here.” Concern etched Olivia’s brow.
“Don’t worry. It will be in your ‘home base’, the place you gate-jump to between the witch’s missions. I first gate-ported back to a small town in 2008 and have been returning there ever since.” Annie forced an encouraging smile. “When you portal out of here, you’ll go to a comfortable place, and your artifacts will be waiting there. You won’t be gate-ported out again until your pieces are correctly placed in the puzzle.
“When you travel, people will expect you. Know you. When pressed, they won’t remember anything specific from your past, which can be distressing for them. So don’t press.” Annie took a quick breath and continued. “When you’re near your portal, you’ll be drawn to it. Look for something that strikes you as interesting, different, strange or beautiful.”
“So basically everything here in this ancient world.” Olivia’s red and puffy eyes widened at a thought. “There was something that caught my attention at the house where I slept at last night.”
Annie nodded. “Tell me about it.”
“It was a stone, just big enough to fit in the palm of my hand. There was a dent in the center of the stone, like someone had rubbed their thumb over the surface a billion times. Around the edges were strange markings.” Olivia shrugged, seemingly unconvinced.
“Try to get near it again. See if you’re compelled to reach for it. Start paying attention to how you feel around that item. If it is your portal, recognizing that feeling will be incredibly helpful in finding future pieces. I can’t sense your portal, but I’ve learned the witch’s tastes. It’s like we’re playing poker and she has her tells,” Annie said.
A lesson for another time: We’ll die if we’re too slow or get it wrong.
A gurgling sound emanated from the well. Annie paused, a shadow of dread crossing over her. Water splashed against the walls of the sinkhole.
“What was that?” Annie dreaded the answer, but couldn’t resist from peeking down the Well. Below, the water swirled and darkened.
“Every night at dusk, the water in the Well turns into a whirlpool. I told you, you can’t jump in.” Olivia smacked her forehead. “I thought you knew that, but of course you wouldn’t. I should’ve explained it sooner.”
“It’ll be okay.” Annie squeezed Olivia’s shoulder and forced a smile. Hannah must’ve planned on this. It had to be part of the plan. Even so, Annie wished she’d figured out what her mentor had concocted.
“When you appeared, you flashed a “peace” sign. Should I do that, too?” Olivia guessed.
“See, you’re already figuring things out.” Annie smiled, wanting to leave things on an encouraging note. That’s what Hannah would have done.
They stood in silence at the edge of the churning whirlpool, each precious second a luxury neither could afford. Annie had a mountain of information she wanted to share, but she knew Olivia was already overwhelmed.
“Can I help you look for your portal?” Olivia finally asked.
Annie shook her head. “You can’t sense my portal and I got the impression you’re expected to return and help prepare for the feast. You should go and avoid any trouble for tomorrow.”
Olivia sniffed, pushed back her shoulders and marched back toward the tents. Annie pressed her lips together, worried about the million mistakes Olivia could make. Was this how Hannah felt every time they parted, worried about her protégé’s every step?
Annie spun around, running her fingers over the rough bark of the trees, oily leaves brushing against her ankles as she walked the outer periphery of the clearing. The sound of her bracelets pinging against one another was overtaken by the churning of the Well. The speed and violence of the whirlpool increased with every passing second.
Forcing herself closer to the mouth of the Well, Annie lifted her skirt and dropped to her knees. Wet, jagged pebbles dug into her flesh. The shadows faded, colors dulling in the vanishing light of the setting sun. Annie’s breathing grew shallow. She could still run into the forest and hide.
No, she was panicking. Her portal had to be close by; Hannah had specified this place. Though Hannah couldn’t know for certain what the relic was, she must have suspected. Annie closed her eyes and let the artifact call to her. Still nothing.
