Shared Skies

by Josephine O Brien

  Gaiah gave up trying to hear or understand, and allowed herself to slide into a deep, peaceful sleep.

  Chapter Seven

  “Gaiah, Gaiah, come on wake up!” Kaley’s voice finally got through to Gaiah. She struggled upright in bed.

  “What? What happened? Oh God! Was last night real? How did I get to…I don’t…The hot chocolate? You didn't...did you?” Gaiah found her voice slow and thick, her tongue felt too large in a parched mouth. She raked her fingers through her hair, and squinted at Kaley, who stood in the doorway. Her bright orange apron was a cheerful splash of colour in the dimly-lit room.

  She nodded at Gaiah with a remorseful smile. “Yes, I'm afraid we did. A harmless but effective sleeping draught. Thanks to that, you've now had a solid twelve hours. Have a shower to help you wake up. We’ll talk then. I’m putting on the coffee.” She didn't wait for an answer.

  A hot shower helped clear Gaiah's head, but her thoughts still whirled. What the hell was that all about last night? Had she actually seen her grandmother shoot someone, outside in their back yard? She waited for a wave of revulsion and shock that should follow such a thought. But to her amazement she felt quite calm, as if she already understood something about it. In fact, what she mostly felt now was hunger. However, they definitely owed her an explanation. She pulled on a long-sleeved, black t-shirt and black leggings, added a square-necked green shift dress, some soft black ankle boots and she was ready. For the second morning in a row she was heading to demand answers from her grandparents. She shook her head. Yesterday’s answers hadn’t exactly made things clearer, what on Earth were today’s going to bring? She strode into the kitchen.

  The same warm, welcoming kitchen as always. Alasdair turned from unloading the dishwasher and gave her a tentative smile. Kaley put a tray of hot croissants on the large, wooden table. Their buttery, vanilla smell filled the room. She crossed the room and took Gaiah’s face in her hands

  “Gaiah, my darling, we’re so sorry about last night. It was the last thing we wanted. How are you feeling?”

  “Well, I feel far better than I should, given what I saw! I have to admit, you probably did the right thing. I'd never have slept. What on earth was it all about?”

  Alasdair followed over and hugged his granddaughter. She rested her cheek against his soft cotton shirt and found the fresh, slightly citrusy scent strangely familiar and comforting. She was so happy to be here with them after all this time.

  Alasdair looked down at her and echoed her thoughts. “It’s wonderful to have you here, my dear. We've missed you so much. Let’s just have breakfast first, then we'll deal with last night, okay?”

  Kaley put big, wide colourful cups and saucers on the table. “There’s no cup too big for breakfast coffee,” she said with a smile “Come and sit down.”

  Gaiah thought she should be freaking. But she wasn't. It should have been impossible to sit normally and have breakfast, but it wasn't. Somehow she knew there was a good reason behind it all. Anyhow, despite everything, she trusted them. And the coffee smelt extraordinarily good. They sat on well-padded comfortable chairs pulled around the kitchen table. The grey Scottish sky drifted across the tops of the trees outside.

  Kaley’s croissants were delicious. They dipped them in the coffee and chatted about Gaiah’s life before the move to London. “Do you remember the tree-house we built in the woods?” Kaley asked, smiling.

  Gaiah frowned slightly and shook her head. “No, I don't think so.”

  “What? After all my work?” spluttered Alasdair. “You can't have forgotten how you wanted a separate kitchen?”

  “Oh, God! Sorry, that must have been difficult. I hope you ignored me.”

  “Of course he didn't.” Kaley looked fondly across the table at Alasdair. “He made it, out of real Earth wood, with real Earth nails.”

  “Yes, and real Gaianan blood, sweat and tears.” Alasdair smiled back.

  Kaley stood, “I have something you'll want to see.” She pulled a small leather folder from the pocket of her apron and handed it to Gaiah.

  Gaiah's eyes filled with tears as she looked at a photo of the beautiful, glowing face of her mother. Nia was smiling at the camera as she tenderly cradled Gaiah. Andrew, grinning proudly, was standing next to them–one arm around Nia's shoulders, the other reached across to rest his hand on the pink bundle that was Gaiah. Gaiah’s baby hand clutched her mother’s finger. Alasdair and Kaley stood behind them, beaming out of the family photo with their arms around each other.

  Kaley shared a packet of tissues with them, as she spoke about the fun they’d had the day that photo was taken. There was much more to tell. Alasdair and Kaley casually held hands across the table as they reminisced. They finished each other’s sentences and smiled before the other got to the punch-line of a story. Gaiah mostly just watched them and listened; it was as if little bits of her were fitting in place like a jigsaw. However, the question was still waiting to be asked. Finally Gaiah said, “About last night?”

  Alasdair abruptly scraped his chair back and stood up. “Damn energy-wasting Or’kans! We hoped, because of the roundabout way we got you up here, they wouldn't have noticed. But it’s clear from trail of disasters on your way here that someone was trying to interfere. We Gaianans have always thwarted Or’kan plans to control Earth. And you, as a melding's child, pose the greatest threat possible.”

  Gaiah bit her cheek to keep from smiling. This seemed too absurd, surely they were joking? “I’m a threat? I didn't even know these people existed.”

  Kaley shook her head. “Doesn't matter. You can be sure they know about you now. In all our long history, there have been very few children born to melded couples that developed Gaianan powers. Stories relate that those that did, had phenomenal powers and appeared at times of great change or danger. I’m sorry, but basically, last night was an attempt to kill you. Luckily for us, he was working on his own. But he will have shifted to Or’ka and told them you’re here. Don’t worry, we have a plan to help protect you.”

  Gaiah sighed and spread her hands. “I just don’t know what to say. This is beyond weird. It doesn't make any sense to me; none of it does, to be honest.”

  Kaley nodded. “We didn't think this would be easy for you, Gaiah. You just need to take it in, a bit at a time, and the whole picture will become clearer. We will introduce you to Gorand, our spokesman. He’s going to explain it all in detail, but now…”

  Kaley looked at the clock, ticking quietly on the wall. “I guess we better head to the school for the open day. I promised the principal we’d be there.”

  Deep crow’s feet crinkled around Alasdair’s eyes as he grinned at Gaiah. “Ha! Which is worse, sitting here talking assassins or going to school? I’ll bring the car around.” Suddenly he was gone and Kaley was bustling around, getting ready to leave.

  This school visit did not fill Gaiah with joy. She wasn't finished with the topic of last night and all it implied. But she didn't think she either wanted or was going to get more information at the moment. Anyway, this at least was going to be just a quick visit and she was going to be there with her grandparents. That thought made her smile; doing anything at a school with her own family at her side was going to be a first.

  Gaiah had always been alone at any school event she couldn't avoid. Andrew had never turned up to anything. On these occasions, Gaiah usually skulked in a corner with a ‘leave me alone, I think this is all crap anyway’ face on until she could leave. She was actually looking forward to this.

  They drove along the damp country roads and she almost forgot the horror of last night as Alasdair and Kaley chatted and joked. Alasdair was a huge fan of the Earthway's ‘knock knock’ jokes. For some reason this struck Gaiah as hilariously absurd and the more he told them, the more she laughed. Finally when he got to his favourite one,

  “Knock, knock.”

  “Who’s there?”

  “Little old lady.”

  “Little old lady who?”

  �
��Wow! I didn't know you could yodel!”

  Gaiah was almost crying with laughter. They soon arrived at the high school and followed a straggle of people into a big assembly hall. Gaiah scanned the room quickly, just in case the guys from yesterday were there. They weren't.

  Tables were set out around the room. Each table was dedicated to a specific subject, all manned by students. They were approached by a short girl about Gaiah’s age. The boots she was wearing brought her almost to Gaiah’s height. She gave them a big smile. “Welcome to our school. We’re serving tea and coffee over here, if you’d like some?” Her skin-tight jeans and a fitted jacket showed off a perfect figure, and her halo of brown curls bounced around her face as she led them across the room to a long trestle table.

  Gaiah looked at the usual paraphernalia of a school event. Urns of hot water, pots of coffee, colossal jugs of milk, plastic spoons, and of course, plates of boring biscuits.

  She immediately decided she didn't want anything. The girl grinned and said, “They try to get the students to run these open days. They feel...” She put out a soft white hand and held down one red tipped finger. “A. it’s good for us to have the responsibility, and B,” a second finger was moved down, “newcomers are more relaxed and likely to ask questions if they are talking to people their own age.”

  Gaiah smiled. “Is it and do they?”

  “Absolutely not! No one in their right mind wants to be here the Sunday before school starts. My mother met the principal in the supermarket and volunteered me for it. And as for the new people starting, well, there’s rarely more than a dozen or so, and I’m sure they don’t want to be here either. It’s just that all the adults think it’s a wonderful, friendly, inclusive, break-the-ice sort of thing.”

  Gaiah laughed. “God! It’s as if they've all forgotten that the whole idea of school is to go as little as you can and get out as soon as possible. There’s not much of a turn out anyway, is there?”

  “Well, apart from the fact that no one wants to come to an open day anyway, most people are out on a search party for three twelve-year-olds who went missing yesterday.”

  “Oh my God! That’s awful, three of them?”

  “Oh, no one’s panicking too much. They’ve done it before. Once, they slept overnight in the local supermarket, ate their way through a fifty quid’s worth of sweets. God knows what they’re up to now.”

  Alasdair and Kaley had moved to another table and were admiring a year ten project on recycling–a table full of jewelry made from household rubbish. “Gaiah, look at this.” they called.

  Gaiah smiled. “See you tomorrow?”

  The girl grinned back. “Yup, first day always starts at eleven with assembly and we have short classes, so it’s not too bad. See ya.”

  Gaiah joined her grandparents. They strolled around the hall looking at the projects and talking to teachers and students. Gaiah also kept her eye on the door just in case either of those two blokes appeared. Though really, neither of them had seemed like the volunteer type.

  They stopped at a long table; a year twelve project on the nearby Craigphadraig Woods. Gaiah was intrigued by the photos and models of the Pictish fort, which lay at the top of the hill in the centre of the woods. It was an arena, really. A flattened hilltop slightly hollowed with steep embankments. Tall trees stood sentry-like at intervals around the perimeter and the entrance was marked by a thicket at either side. Gaiah leant forward. “Look at these weird stones, they look melted.”

  The tall girl manning the table leant forward, pushing her glasses back up her nose. “Yes, we've had loads of scientists here, trying to recreate the conditions that could have done this, with no success. It's really cool, and it's here on our doorstep.”

  Kaley looked at her watch and muttered to Gaiah, “Right. I think we've put in enough of an appearance. I know we haven’t seen Mrs. Patterson, the principal, but there’s a lot more we want to fit in today. I think we can go.”

  Gaiah had no objections to that. She looked around for the friendly girl she'd been talking to and saw her still serving teas. She waved at her, and followed her grandparents back to the car.

  Gaiah’s plans for the rest of the day included doing absolutely nothing, feet up, a fire, and a long chat with her family. That had such a good ring to it.

  However, on the way home, Kaley revealed very different plans.

  Her eyes were serious and her normally smiling face was tense.“We think the best thing to do is shift to Gaiana now. We can meet the Ten and they will tell you all you need to know.”

  “The Ten?” Gaiah looked at her blankly.

  “Yes.” Alasdair answered. “Gaianans are loosely grouped into ten clans. People change clans several times in their life, if they marry or move jobs, or whatever. Every ten years, each clan elects a leader and they rule for ten years. When I say rule, I just mean that mostly they do the Earthways business decisions and things. Gaiana pretty much runs itself, but the Ten are the ultimate decision makers in times of trouble, like now.”

  They reached the cottage and Gaiah slowly got out of the car. She wasn’t at all sure how she felt about this idea of meeting more Gaianans. Moving this whole thing outside her grandparents was making it horribly real. She knew she was dawdling as she went to the loo, took off her coat, and re-made her bed. Her brain was carefully trying to avoid the thought that she was about to travel through other dimensions to her home world. I’m not sure I’m up for this, will it hurt? Hardly–they do it all the time. What if I get lost? Oh, God, I feel sick. She was just starting to tidy her wardrobe when Kaley called her.

  “For Power’s sake, Gaiah. We have no time. Come on!”

  Gaiah walked on leaden legs into the kitchen. Her index finger tasted of blood as she pulled off slivers of nail down into the cuticle bed. She wished this could be put off a while. Kaley looked at her. “Sorry, but we really have to rush, my dear.”

  Gaiah sighed, “Right, I’ll just get my jacket.”

  Alasdair and Kaley’s burst of laughter startled her.

  “Dimensions, Gaiah, dimensions! This house is our door. Give me your hand.”

  As Gaiah reluctantly took her grandmother’s hand, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She shivered as Alasdair took her other hand. She exhaled noisily. Right! She was ready and braced, to be spun, twisted, whatever, through the dimensions.

  “Hurry up Gaiah. Follow me.” Kaley tugged at Gaiah's arm.

  What the..? Gaiah opened her eyes. She had felt nothing, no time had passed and yet, here they were. Standing in the middle of a cavernous hall. It was as if someone had taken Paddington station, tripled its size, polished all the glass brilliantly and shone a diffused Mediterranean sun through it. Figures moving at the far end didn't take any notice of their arrival.

  “We won’t change to Gaianan clothes. We won’t be here long enough.” Kaley gestured to a long wall, lined with cubicles and shelves of clothes. She turned to hurry Gaiah on. “Oh Powers! Look at you. In all the confusion, I forgot I’d be seeing you in your Gaianan form. You are absolutely beautiful.”

  Gaiah had just noticed the same thing about her grandparents. They were the same, but different. Longer, more…flowy. Not transparent, but ethereal and their blue eyes were almost iridescent. She moved towards them as if she were walking on air. It required no effort at all. Looking down at herself, she saw that she too was long and elegant. She held her hands out. They were longer, softer and more… flowy–that was the only word. However, her nails were still chewed and ragged. At that moment she made a firm decision never to bite them again. They looked gross on her elegant Gaianan hands.

  Her grandparents embraced her with tears in their eyes.“Welcome home, Gaiah.”

  Chapter Eight

  “We’ll go straight through to the conference hall and meet the others. They already know we’re here.” Alasdair waved at a pad on the wall, and a tall door, set seamlessly into it, slid open. On the other side was a huge, high chamber.

  Gai
ah stared. Alternating panels of carved wood and coloured glass were held together by thin, arcing struts of gleaming metal. But it was the small group of people standing around an enormous table that demanded her attention.

  Their clothes, a kaleidoscopic intensity of colour, were almost overwhelming. They all wore trousers and tunics in a soft, fluid material. As she stepped into the room, the low buzz of conversation stopped. They all faced her, stood still and clapped. Their flowy hands sounded like gentle waves on a shore.

  Kaley took her hand and Alasdair put his arm around Gaiah and announced, “I present to you the melding’s child of Nia Shaman of Gaiana and Andrew Hansfort of Earth. I give you Gaiah!”

  The gentle waves became thundering surf. One by one they embraced Gaiah, and names blurred with faces as each one introduced them self.

  A tall, good-looking man with smooth, ebony skin. “Ay-lun of Clan Silva.” His blond Gaianan hair was braided back from his face and ended in a plait which he had looped in his belt.

  “Donnan of Clan Sun.” Hair cropped to the skin.

  “Bevin, Clan Light.” An impression of sweetness.

  “Pleased to meet you…Pleased to meet you.” Gaiah shook hands, nodded and smiled.

  “Frang from Clan Air.”

  “Aghna, Clan Shaman.” Gaiah smiled back at the woman whose kind eyes were bracketed by deep crow’s feet. There were only ten people but Gaiah, distracted by the enormity of the occasion, couldn't keep track of them. A tall man, with shoulder-length hair neatly pulled back from his high forehead, approached them. His clothes were more subdued than the others–a moss green shirt over dark trousers.

  “We’d better start. Please sit.” He gestured towards the huge, cream marble table that dominated the room. The intricate markings around the edge reminded her of something she'd seen recently. There was an upright, sloping, triangular shape fixed in the middle.

  Gaiah felt everyone's eyes on her. She didn't know where to look. She examined the high-backed swivel chair Kaley had led her to. The wooden frame of the chair was highly polished and intricately carved; flowers and vines climbed and encircled from every angle. She sat down on one, and felt it mould around her. “Oh, these are so comfortable.” The seat and back were padded with one swoop of thick gold memory foam.