by M. E. Eadie
* * *
By the time they reached the Council Circle, Grizzelda had gathered everyone together. In the center a small fire was burning, cheerfully giving up its aromatic smoke. Spike and Melissa were looking very uncomfortable having Grizzleda sitting between them. Colin and Grandfather Thunder took their places at the other end of the fire. For a moment they all stared silently into the orange-red flames of the fire, feeling the possibilities take form around them. So many directions, so many paths, all depending on what might be said, or not said. Colin felt uneasiness grow inside him; somehow his world was about to change.
“I am dying,” said Grandfather Thunder, as though he had just announced that it was going to be a very nice day.
“Nonsense!” scolded Grizzelda, who was just about to launch into a diatribe about how old people think they are always dying.
“No, I am quite sure of it, Grizzelda Star Blanket. I am dying, and unfortunately, I am dying right now.” He held up his hand and it shimmered with a translucent, ghostly quality. His hand was not as substantial as it had been a moment ago.
“Oh my,” said Grizzelda, then she became unnaturally silent.
Colin, Spike and Melissa were in shock, not knowing what to say.
“I have to tell you a few things before I go,” he said giving the children a reassuring smile. “First, death is not the end. Second, I’m not going to allow myself to fade totally. There are too many things to put in order for me to make a quick exit. Don’t look that way Star Blanket; all things must end. It’s natural, it’s right, remember that.
Colin tells me he has seen a Nix slip beneath the skin of a person.”
“Nonsense,” scolded Grizzelda, “Nixes don’t behave that way. We all know that.” She folded her arms to present a resisting front.
“They behave that way when they gain in strength,” corrected Grandfather Thunder. “It has been a long time since I’ve seen that type of behavior, not since…” his voice trailing off into a thought he chose to keep secret.
“What do you think it is?” asked Spike. “What do you think is making them stronger?”
“I don’t know, but I have my suspicions. That’s why I’m choosing not to totally die, not just yet.”
“You can do that?” asked Colin. “Can we do that? Why can’t you just simply choose not to die?” The idea of life without Grandfather Thunder was just beginning to dawn on him and he didn’t like it at all.
“It’s not an advisable thing to do. There’s a price to be paid, there always is when you go against the natural order of things.”
As Grandfather Thunder continued, the light from the fire seemed to go through him. His body was losing its reflective qualities by the moment. They all stared at him, willing him to stay, but knowing what was happening to him was beyond their control.
“What am I going to do!” shouted Grizzelda springing to her feet in panic. “You’re the one that keeps this place hidden. Once you’re gone…”
“Once I’m gone your place of refuge will no longer be here; true, you will have to return fully to the outside world. It’s what you’ve always desired, Grizzelda. You can now face the things you have always been too frightened to face.”
“No, I can’t, not now!” said Grizzelda, her face going ashen in color. Her dress was devoid of any patterns, just an unsure, black void.
“Yes, you can. You have incredible strength! It’s in your blood, and you know it.”
Grandfather Thunder tilted his head upwards, examining the soughing wind that moved through the pines in the park. “Change is here.”
To look at Melissa you would expect a quiet, demure little girl, who talked quietly, but that was where observation failed. In her entire life she had never uttered a word. Those limpid eyes saw so much more than anyone else, and perhaps that’s why she didn’t speak. Often she didn’t have to. Her eyes often expressed her emotions. The brown emanating warmth and compassion, while the blue giving off the cold, icy resolve often caused by anger. She was, now, staring mutely at Grandfather Thunder, both eyes open wide in fright.
Grandfather Thunder smiled kindly at her. “Don’t worry, where I’m going is dangerous, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. Dangerous because it is where the Nixes live, and if they catch me there, they will never let me die. But don’t worry,” he lifted his staff and a blue light pulsed from a serpent’s eyes, “I will not be entirely helpless.”
“Then why go?” shot in Grizzelda rather desperately. “Why go at all? You can fight it. If anyone can fight death, you can!”
“No,” said Grandfather Thunder strongly, “I can’t fight death, and it would be a mistake to even presume I could. Death exists for a reason, a reason I don’t fully understand, but I’m going to let myself go Inbetween because I can see better and I can warn you before IT comes.”
“What is IT?” A panicked look crossed Grizzelda’s face; little geometric silver patterns ran helter-skelter all over her dress making Colin dizzy. Gone was his aunt’s inherent haughtiness, and for a moment, before she could regain control, she looked like a frightened little girl. She looked hurt, even betrayed.
Grandfather Thunder smiled beneficently, his old eyes twinkling. “I am not exactly sure. I am an old man, and I have always prided myself on protecting and training those who can see. You don’t think I’m going to let a little thing like death get in the way of finding out, do you?”
Grandfather Thunder had become so transparent that it was beginning to affect the general timbre of his voice making it quiver like the strings of an instrument losing tension. “Before I go, I have a gift for you.” From inside a bag made out of otter skin, Grandfather Thunder drew out two small leather pouches with long ties for wearing around the neck. He hobbled over to Spike and Melissa and placed them in their hands. “There, now you are protected. Within each pouch you have the essence of a spirit guardian. They will protect you.” He turned to Colin. Instead of handing him the same, he gave him the Sergeant Peary comic book and gave a knowing smile.
“Don’t go,” whispered Grizzelda just before the image of Grandfather Thunder flickered out.
“Have you ever wondered why I gave you the appellation Star Blanket? It is because within you, you have all the possibilities of the stars. Take the children Home, and care for them to the best of your ability, but beware the Nixes.”
And with this final statement, Grandfather Thunder almost died, disappearing from sight.