Double Star

by Cindy Saunders

  “The water is ready,” Liam said from behind. “I have a proposal. I will wash the dishes and you will dry them. Does that meet with your approval?”

  She lifted her head. “Sure.”

  He tossed her a swatch of cotton cloth and rolled up his sleeves. “Thea should be back tomorrow.”

  Her eyes rested on his broad shoulders. He really was cute. And, although he tried not to show it, passionate and warm as well. Oh, and don’t forget, delusional and crazy. She pushed the thought aside and took a plate from his hand.

  When they finished, she went into the living room and picked up her bag. Liam sat next to her and leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “Tell me, what is in there you were so willing to risk your life for?”

  “Apparently not much.” She pulled out a small leather pouch. Where did this come from? She opened it and dumped a pile of gold coins on the couch. “What are these?”

  “Money,” he said. “What do you think it is?”

  “I… don’t know.”

  “It looks like quite a bit of it.”

  She rifled through the bag for her wallet... and phone, but both were missing. Maybe when she passed out, someone had stolen them and left this pouch. But why? She had no idea but, hopefully, in the morning all of this would surely make sense.

  The red moon was bright. She heard movement close by but when she turned around, it was gone… or hiding. The gnarly branches of the bush in front of her seemed alive as they twisted in the breeze. Two eyes peered back through the tangled hedge. It’s a trap! She tried to run, but couldn’t. “No!” She began to move forward. “Liam!” He was standing beside her. “Save me!” His eyes changed color; their brilliance began to fade. “No,” he said. “It is you who must save me.”

  Ally snapped to a sitting position, her body covered in sweat. It was light out and familiar surroundings brought her back. Can you have a dream when you’re in a dream… or a nightmare when you’re in a nightmare? Only one way to find out. She headed to the kitchen, having come to a disgusting realization.

  Meg was at the table, a bowl of batter in her lap.

  “Morning, Meg.”

  “Hi, Ally.”

  “I need a favor.”

  Meg began to shake her head.

  “Nothing like yesterday,” Ally said quickly. “Can I take a shower or a bath?”

  “Oh. Sure. There is one outside. Let me show you.”

  “What are you making?”

  “Blueberry muffins.” Meg dipped her finger into the batter and put it into her mouth.

  “Isn’t it hard without a mix?”

  “A mix?”

  Ally sighed. No, I’m sure it’s amazingly simple.

  She followed Meg outside. On the left side of the house was a seven-foot-high roofless, wooden stall, a wooden container was mounted to the house above it.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me,” Ally said. “Is that water warm?”

  “The sun heats it up during the day. It is not that cold.”

  I’m never taking anything for granted again. “It’s okay. It’ll wake me up.”

  Meg laughed. “Just do it quickly.”

  Ally stepped inside. A wide spigot hung from the side of the bucket. She reached up, twisted it, and released a shower of cold water.

  “Aaah!” This was going to be really quick. She turned off the water and washed up with a piece of soap she found on the shelf.

  A towel floated over the wooden side. “I thought you might need this,” Meg called.

  “You’re a lifesaver. Thanks.”

  It was refreshing, and when Ally walked from the stall, she felt better. She dried her hair as she walked to the front of house, and saw Liam in the barn. His pants were tucked inside black leather boots folded over at the knee; the dark green V-neck shirt reached his lower thighs. Very unusual, but hot, in a Robin Hood kind of way.

  “Why are you walking in that manner?” he asked.

  “Good morning to you, too. I’m a little sore from my ride yesterday.”

  He grinned. “Was it your first time on a horse? If so, I find it hard to believe you controlled Chestnut.”

  “You didn’t see me riding.”

  If she never got on a horse again that would be fine, but it was the only way to town so she had to suck it up one more time. He wanted to find out more about the animal in the woods yesterday—she wanted something much simpler. She was going to find a way home.

  “I will put an extra blanket on the saddle to protect your… you know,” he said. “Do not worry about the chores today. I would not want to be responsible for any more injuries.”

  “We appreciate that.”

  “We?”

  “Me and my… you know.” When she patted her butt, he smiled. Wow. Too bad he didn’t do that more often. Maybe they could be friends. He could visit her in Phoenix. Well, if the ‘manner of speak’ didn’t drive him crazy. Although that probably wouldn’t be a long ride.

  She didn’t believe he could talk to animals but, somehow, he knew what happened in the woods. Come on! You can’t be serious, a sensible voice inside her head said. Just because you’ve never seen it, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. That voice sounded like her father’s.

  “Meg is making muffins,” she said, trying to silence both. “I’m gonna grab one. You want?”

  “No, thank you. I have already eaten. The others will be here soon.”

  “The others?”

  “My friends will accompany us. Would you care to wear one of my shirts?”

  “Sure, if you think I should.”

  “Please. Ask Meg to get one for you.”

  A plate of blueberry muffins was on the table, steam still rising from their time in the oven. Ally poured herself a glass of juice and was licking her lips when Meg walked in.

  “Liam wants me to wear one of his shirts. I think he’s nervous I won’t be presentable to his friends.”

  “Those clowns? I would not worry about what they think.”

  “Meg, Liam told me a story about Ascencia. Do you know it?”

  “Sure.”

  “What do you think about it?”

  “I think it unfair only the boys get to change. It does not give us girls much to look forward to.”

  How far from home was she… really?

  She slipped his tan shirt over her own. The neck was loose and the shoulder seams hung midway down her upper arm. She rolled up the sleeves and put on her boots.

  “Ally! They are here. Come on!” Meg said.

  “Be right there.” Ally rummaged through her bag and found her brush. She pulled it through her hair, grabbed her things, and walked outside.

  Meg and Liam were standing with four boys. Their conversation abruptly stopped but their faces gave them away. They were talking about her.

  “This is Ally,” Meg said, “and this is Ian, Oisin, Shane, and you already know Corm.”

  Gee. Robin’s Merry Men.

  They were dressed the same as Liam, but that’s where the similarity ended. Ian looked like a Rastafarian; his black dreadlocks hung to the middle of his back. His eyes were a beautiful shade of light green but an ugly scab was over his left brow.

  Oisin smiled at her and pointed to her feet. Several strips of rawhide were tied around his wrist. “I like your boots.” His curly hair reached his shoulders and a large gold hoop hung from his left ear.

  “Thanks.”

  “Only Oisin would comment on a lady’s choice of footwear,” Shane said. He could easily take the largest player on the Cardinals football team. Three steps put him in front of her. He removed his wide-brimmed hat, dropped to one knee, and took her hand. “Charmed.”

  “Oh!” was the best she could manage, seeing that his hair was dyed white. And then, her eyes were drawn to the outline of a bear beneath his right ear.

  “Hello, Ally,” Corm said.

  She jerked her eyes away from Shane’s tattoo. “Hi, Corm.”

  Did they all have a tattoo? Their long
hair made it impossible for her to tell.

  “Are we ready?” Ian asked.

  Ally looked to the road. “Who’s that?”

  Liam shook his head and closed his eyes. “I completely forgot.”

  “That is Olivia. Liam’s friend,” Meg said.

  Olivia reached them and glared at Liam. “I was worried when you did not return yesterday,” she said. “I thought something might be wrong.”

  “I am sorry,” Liam said. “I meant to, but the day got a bit… difficult. There were some issues requiring my attention here.”

  “Yes, I can see that.” Olivia’s eyes traveled from Ally’s head to her feet and Ally suddenly realized just how out of place she looked. Olivia’s white gauze shirt hung from her shoulders, its wide sleeves reaching below her elbows. Her black silk pants were fitted and tucked inside a beautiful pair of boots. Beveled crystal buttons lined the soles to just below her knees. The belt around her waist, more like a piece of jewelry, draped over her thigh. Ally had never seen anything… or anyone, so beautiful in her life.

  Olivia went on. “You never mentioned you had company.”

  “We do not, or rather—”

  “Hi, I’m Ally.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Olivia replied.

  Liam hoisted himself onto Pollux. “We need to go to town, but I could stop on the return trip and look in on Jade.”

  “Where is Jade?” Meg asked.

  “Her leg is bothering her,” Olivia said, “but… as a matter of fact, I need to go to town myself. Perhaps I could join you.”

  Liam hesitated. “I would like nothing more,” he finally answered.

  Ally smiled. Take that, Pinocchio.

  Chapter 12

  They rode two by two: Olivia and Liam in front, Shane and Meg next, followed by Oisin and Ian, then she and Corm.

  Ally glanced beside her. “I didn’t thank you for finding me yesterday. I was a little out of it. Thank you.”

  “You are welcome,” Corm answered, “but, if not for your necklace, I do not think I would have found you at all.”

  “Really.” He was cute but in a different way than Liam. Deep brown surrounded the gold in his eyes and his hair was feathered just past his shoulders. “Well, I was lucky. I didn’t realize these woods were full of wild animals. Maybe I should thank the black cat as well.”

  He laughed. “Perhaps you could do that yourself.”

  “I hope to be outta here soon, so I don’t think I’ll run into him again.”

  “Liam was right. You are not from Gilgamesh.”

  “No, I’m not.” She looked ahead of her. “Are Liam and Olivia going out?”

  “I have never heard it put that way but I understand your question. I do not know. I am not sure that even Liam knows.”

  “Why not?” What else could Liam want? She was gorgeous and Olivia liked him. That was obvious.

  “He is trying to find himself right now. Sometimes it is easiest to do that when you are alone.”

  “He told me the story about Ascencia last night, about how he believes there’s magic in the forest. Do you believe that, too?”

  He smiled. “I know her power is still with us but I sense you deny its presence.”

  Was it that obvious?

  “Look around.” He gestured to his friends. “Each of us has a different spirit. Shane represents strength, Ian embodies speed and agility, and Oisin is marked with the traits of cunning and courage.”

  “And you?”

  “I represent the seeker, searching for answers… or the occasional girl who needs rescuing,” he said with a wink. “I am able to see things from a different perspective.”

  “What about Liam? What does he represent?”

  “I am not sure. No one knows for certain until it happens. His time will come, though.”

  “I… I, uh, I’m sure it will.”

  She knew the Indians believed everyone had an animal spirit. She didn’t recall they actually thought they were the animals, but maybe these boys took it a bit further. Well, maybe more than a bit.

  “Ascencia’s is not the only spirit alive in the forest. There are others who have left their marks as well.”

  She gave him an award-winning smile. “Such as?”

  He blushed and looked at his horse. “Well, as we share our bodies with the animal spirits, some animals share theirs with the spirits of the gods. Every animal, every living thing, has a purpose. I cannot speak for how things are anywhere else, but here there is a delicate balance.”

  “I thought it was survival of the fittest.”

  He laughed. “That is a misconception. It is survival of the smartest, and every living thing in the forest knows that to be true. To ensure we continue to exist, the smartest thing we can do is live together.”

  Ally squinted, thinking. “What about animals like… the rabbit? Don’t other animals eat them? Is that living together?”

  He smiled. “Why do you think they multiply so quickly? The rabbit is not only a guide to the shadow world but is a perfect illustration of balance. Butterflies represent change and transformation. If you follow one, it will lead you to joy and happiness. The tortoise is sensitive to the environment. It can feel vibrations within the earth and forewarn of imbalance. The cry of a great horned owl warns that Death will be traveling among us. During the time of the sickness, its cry was heard every day. Certain animals communicate love, power, and strength—some call attention to our fragile nature, while others remind us of our dark side.”

  Chestnut’s gait hitched and Ally grasped the reins tight until she settled down. “So you’re telling me all animals are good? What about yesterday?”

  “There are always exceptions. Consider the wolf, a brave and loyal animal, respected as a wise and cunning hunter. Its intelligence and senses are unmatched, making it a powerful ally—or a deadly predator.”

  She didn’t know why, but she began to feel nervous. “Does the wolf represent good or evil then?”

  “It depends. In a pack, they are extremely devoted. Oisin is marked by the wolf, and there is no other I would rather have watching my back. But the lone wolf, unable to connect with others, can be dangerous. There are those who believe they represent evil and bloodshed.”

  “Why?”

  “Cepheus’ actions caused many to mistrust the wolf.”

  “Because he killed Ascencia?”

  “That, according to legend, was an accident. It was what he did afterward, because of his desire for revenge and power, which caused many to be afraid of the wolf.”

  “Liam didn’t tell what happened after Cepheus killed Ascencia.”

  “Do you want to know?”

  “I think I do.”

  Corm cleared his throat. “Well... after his life was spared by Zeus, Cepheus disappeared, and Albireo raised his son, Deneb. The boy’s star-shaped mark beneath his ear was the only evidence he was different from the others in his village. One night, during his sixteenth year, Ascencia sent her son a warning, using the power of the winds.”

  “Power of the winds?”

  “Something else you are not aware of. Trees are considered sacred by the gods. Their branches reach toward the heavens and carry messages between their world and ours. The wind is their way of whispering… of talking to one another. Ascencia sent an admonition carried on those winds. She told Deneb that Cepheus was preparing to return to the forest… to take his life. ‘Beware the red eyes,’ she warned. ‘They are the eyes of death for you and the ones you love. They will not rest until yours are—”

  “Closed forever.”

  Corm turned his head to look at her. “I thought Liam did not tell you this part of the story.”

  “He didn’t. But… I’ve heard those words before.”

  Corm shrugged and continued. “Soon after, word traveled to the village about a group of savage marauders moving in from the east, killing any animal or human who crossed their path. Deneb knew it was Cepheus and decided to strike out on his own. But his
friends would not allow it. They vowed, made a blood pact, to stand by Deneb and face Cepheus together. It was then each friend noticed a star appear beneath their right ear.”

  “How did the stars just appear?” Ally said.

  “Ah yes, the star… this was Ascencia’s gift to her son, an assurance he would not stand alone against his enemies. They left the village and, after a week’s time, came upon a wolf devouring the remains of a deer. Deneb saw the wolf’s eyes were the color of fresh blood, and he knew his fate would be realized.”

  “So the lone wolf was Cepheus?” Ally said, entranced with the story but fearing what would happen next.

  “Aye,” Corm answered, “but Cepheus was not alone. He was in the company of three men, warriors who carried weapons unlike anything the boys had ever seen. But, as it turned out, the boys possessed a magic of their own. Through the star, they were given the power of the Shanyo, each with the strength of one of the eight. And then—”

  Ally gently pulled the reins, slowing her horse, and Corm did the same. “The eight?”

  “The traits represented by the eight-pointed star. You do know that eight is a magical number.”

  “I know that on its side, it’s the symbol for infinity.”

  “Yes, and each of Deneb’s friends received one of the attributes associated with the star. Together, the magic within them was powerful enough to defeat Cepheus and, once again, the wolf disappeared.”

  “Where did Cepheus go?” Ally asked.

  “No one knows. Some say they have seen him. His presence can be felt from time to time. The howl of the wolf is a reminder he might be hiding… waiting. Those who think he is still on this earth believe the Vaki have kept him from entering Gilgamesh.”

  The others noticed that Ally and Corm had fallen behind and slowed their horses. Ally ignored Liam’s curious look and Olivia’s annoyed one. “The Vaki? What are they?”

  “Not what, but who. The Vaki are the guardians of Gilgamesh, tiny man-elves that can enter the body of any animal who threatens the forest, making them quite sick until they are summoned away.”