The Ravenswynd Series - Boxed Set

by Sharon Ricklin Jones

  I tugged at Emrys’ arm and he leaned back holding the notebook so we could both read it together.

  True fortune told, will soon be clearer-

  Your fate is dancing in the mirror.

  On this eve-a shrewd deception-

  Is viewed within betrayed reflection.

  What matters most seems quite sincere-

  Tho’ things are not as they appear.

  False perception cloaks a hand-

  Letting this imposter stand.

  Have ye seen within the vanity-

  Fearsome edges of insanity?

  The truth revealed and not ignored-

  Assures one ending - by the sword.

  Trust your skills for this endeavor-

  An evil head that you must sever.

  One final slash brings forth the flood-

  Two feet will stand upon the blood.

  A cold black heart engorged with hate-

  One plan of action; to desecrate.

  And when tis finished by the blade-

  There’s no more cause to be afraid.

  Dispatch this day a life external

  Away to regions, dark - infernal

  Solitary - abyss - eternal.

  I read it over again, and then again, trying to digest it. Emrys leaned back and closed his eyes, deep in thought.

  “Is this about who I think it is?” I whispered, overwhelmed and confused. The only thing I was sure of was that someone would die. Before he could answer, Sibelle returned carrying a tall mug of Ambrosia - easy to detect by the sweet scent filling the room at her return.

  She sat back down holding the mug comfortably in her lap and said, “Are ye quite sure ye won’t be wantin a drink?”

  I found I was unable to speak for the moment. All I could do was think about her prophetic words. When would it take place? Would we be aware before it happened? Who would do the actual killing? It was disturbing to me even though I wanted it to happen; the reality of it actually happening caused my mind to unravel. I glanced sideways at Emrys as he shook his head, saying, “No, no. We are both fine, thank you.” He had just been informed that he’d be witness to a killing, quite possibly be the one to actually perform the task, and yet he seemed completely calm and still well mannered. I, on the other hand, could barely breathe. I took the notepad and read her prophecy one more time, and then looked up.

  I watched Sibelle take another sip. Her face was solemn, but in no way distressed by her own words. I didn’t quite understand how she remained so calm. And, as a matter of fact, Emrys seemed to take this information sedately as well. I wanted to ask them both how that was possible, but instead, I said, “How...I mean…when…this will happen?”

  “Och lassie. The prophecy disna come wi a date. Ye must ken ye hae tae use yer own mynd tae figure oot the minor details. If it wer’nt so I’d a told ye plainly. Betwixt the both o ye, an all yer learnin, I’ve nae doubt ye’ll decipher the riddle in nae time atoll.” She lifted her mug to her lips and I could have sworn she stifled a grin. My mind whirled. What’s the point of using a prophetess, if she makes it so difficult to understand the future? I shook my head in disbelief, glancing down at the written prophecy, still in my firm grip.

  “And that, my dear, is why I write the words in my notebook. We will figure it out in time, you shall see.” Emrys seemed much more self-assured than I felt at the moment. All I got out of her words was the creepy, bloody part, which in no way gave me any confidence. I re-read the last two paragraphs again, and I had to admit to myself, not being perpetually afraid did sound like a fantastic idea. Maybe I could get some alone time for once. I couldn’t even remember the last time I had that luxury.

  “Sibelle?” Emrys startled me out of my musings. “You mentioned two things.” I gave her an expectant look, hunting for more clues.

  “Oh aye. Tis an easy one, tae be sure.” She waited for me to hand the notebook back to Emrys.

  For some reason, she gave a knowing smile and her eyes took on that sparkly look again. She cleared her throat, studied our faces, and said, “The changing of the rules changes everything.”

  I thought for sure she’d burst out laughing, her smile was even wider now. Was this a joke I didn’t get?

  “Hmm.” Emrys crossed one arm and held his elbow, putting a finger to his mouth. I could see that he was deep in thought again, but was sure the look on my face only showed how clueless I was. He took a breath as if to say something, but then stopped. He shook his head, saying, “I know, no guessing. What will be - will be.”

  Sibelle’s grin never lessened. “Dinna fash yerself, laddie. I’ve seen a brent new wey wi the corbies. So ferlie for ye atweill.”

  I leaned in and touched his arm lightly as I whispered, “Umm, I don’t understand that at all!”

  “This is how she gets when she’s excited. Her Scots comes out full force. She basically said that I shouldn’t trouble myself. Something will be changing for the Ravens.” He frowned as he looked at me. “I think the last part was ‘So wonderful for you indeed’ but I am not quite sure. Is that it, Sibelle?” He turned to her again.

  “Aye, Laddie, an I’ve tellt ye all whit I can.” She lifted the mug to her mouth and drank heartily. It was plain to see, she was finished talking about the future.

  I was still distressed over her first prophecy, but now I wondered if this new thing had to do with the meeting of Regents in June. I was the one who wanted Emrys to change some rules, to bring them up for discussion. Of course, then my mind went crazy imagining all sorts of scenarios. I couldn’t see how such a change could be wonderful for Emrys, unless of course Rohan somehow did succeed in assaulting me, and because of these new changes, I wouldn’t be considered damaged goods.

  Oh, lucky me.

  A terrible shiver went all through me. Sibelle’s first prophecy made more sense; as long as it would take place before Rohan had another chance to try to hurt me. Emrys put his arm around me then; no doubt my own sarcastic and worried thoughts mingled with his, giving him the urge to protect me. It was times like these I appreciated his ability to read my mind. After a few moments, my mind relaxed and I felt less freaked out and more curious about the future.

  We chatted a while longer about the Bertrand family back home, and all the recent new additions and then she asked me many questions about my sister. Even though Sibelle’s time on earth had been long, she said that twins had always been a curiosity to her, and she made me promise to invite Lindy on our next visit. I told her I’d certainly try to get Melinda to come, but then talking about my sister reminded me of a few questions of my own. Finally getting up the courage, I asked Sibelle how the prophecy worked and wondered if she sometimes got them in the form of visions. She knew exactly what I meant, once I explained to her that I’d always questioned my own visions since they usually seemed so vague. And even though she never explained how her prophesies came, she instructed me how to practice seeing my visions more clearly.

  “All it takes, dearie, is yer concentration. If it’s ithers yer vision’s aboot, try tae touch thaim. Many visions come wi a touch o the haund.”

  I then told her about my vision of Melinda and the three children. She nodded while I spoke, and finally assured me that everything would be clearer in time; all I needed to do was keep my mind open. But what I really wanted to know was if that particular vision could possibly be correct, given my inability to understand even the easiest of them. So far, it seemed to me that most of them had been so ill-defined and cut short, it felt like I was trying to see through someone else’s glasses. Emrys chuckled, amused by my comparisons, and I gave him a sideways glance to let him know I didn’t appreciate his reaction. Sibelle just nodded politely as she reemphasized her original thoughts by saying, “All in good time, my dearie.”

  She and Emrys then began to talk about several mutual friends that I had yet to meet, and I sat quietly, amusing myself with thoughts of Lindy and her three kids, telling myself to think positive thoughts. It was far better
than imagining the negative ones.

  A bit later I excused myself after asking where the bathroom was, and while in there I noted a beautiful collection of seashells sitting on a large crystal plate on one of the shelves. Still gazing at all the many shapes and colors, I heard the hoot of the owl, apparently still perched on the rooftop. I smiled to myself, happy and satisfied that at least every part of that vision had been right. And perhaps Sibelle was right, all in good time, I’d eventually find out if my other vision was too.

  On returning to the living room, I was surprised to see Sibelle and Emrys at the front door; he was already in his over-coat, and she held mine out to me. “It is nearly midnight, and I thought we should head back to the motel before the snow starts,” Emrys announced as he helped me with my coat. I almost asked how he knew it was going to snow, but then I remembered where we were. Sibelle would definitely know before the weatherman.

  She took my hands in hers the same as in her greeting and said, “Trust yer visions, Lassie. This auld lady’s been on this earth a guid long time. I can see ye have the gift. Remember whit I tellt ye aboot the practicing.” She smiled warmly and turned to Emrys. “Laddie, ye take care of yerself and yer special lady.” She took his hands in hers. “I’m verra happy for ye. An, better days ahead. Fareweill.”

  We finished saying our good-byes, and as we stepped out into the chilly wind, she called after us, “Be mindful o the scowder.”

  I turned to wave as Emrys took my arm and helped me down the stone stairway. Clueless as I was to her terminology at times, he took it upon himself to whisper, “Scowder is a thin covering of snow.”

  “Okay. But there’s nothing on the steps.”

  “Yet,” he said with a wink.

  On our drive back to the lodge, as the cold grew thicker, the snow began to fall. It was only a light sprinkling of snowflakes, but every now and again I’d see the swirls in the road ahead of us when the wind plucked it up like a whirlwind. By the time we parked the car, exactly as Sibelle had predicted, there was a fine, thin covering of snow on everything around: a scowder.

  As we walked through the parking area to our doorway, cold and slippery as it was, we remained steady on our feet, and I realized then and there, Sibelle had always been right about everything she’d ever said, according to anyone who knew her. Of course, now I wished I had asked the three thousand other questions I had neglected to ask.

  Next time, then.

  Emrys laughed as he glanced down at me. “I believe she has some strange power over us whenever we visit. Somehow, I have never asked my three thousand questions either, and she only tells you what she wants you to know, when it is time.”

  I frowned, musing over his comment as he fumbled in his pocket and pulled out the key. A warm blast of air met us as he opened the door, a welcome change from the shivering cold wind.

  Just as we closed the door behind us, Emrys’ phone started ringing. He answered it while I hung our coats, first shaking off the scowder. He didn’t say much, other than an occasional “a-huh”.

  A few moments later he placed the phone down, turned to me, and said, “That was Sibelle. She has decided that I should tell you what we discussed while you were in the bathroom. She says it will give you the confidence you need.” He brushed the snow from his hair, leaving it looking wet like black ink.

  “Why, what did you discuss?” I sat on the edge of the bed rubbing my cold hands together.

  “I mentioned to her how much it bothered you, you know, about your visions being so vague. And she told me to remind you about the one you had of her cottage.”

  “Okay.” It seemed strange to me that she’d make a phone call just for that and I gazed up at him, waiting.

  Was there more?

  “Yes,” he said, giving me a huge smile. “She also said she saw three bairns coming into our family.”

  I was ecstatic! If Sibelle saw three children, it had to mean my vision of Melinda was true, and she would be a mommy! “Does she mean children or babies?” I asked, practically jumping out of my skin.

  “I did not think to ask,” he said. “Does it matter?”

  “Well, Lindy always wanted to have babies.” I shrugged and shook my head. “I seriously don’t know. But I do know that in my vision she was happier than she seems to be right now. I wonder if I should tell her about it yet. See, that’s one of the other questions I would have liked to ask Sibelle.”

  “Trust me, my wife. In all likelihood, Sibelle would not have been clear with her answer. She wants us to think for ourselves. It would be too easy if we were given all the answers.”

  “Well, at this point I don’t feel like I have hardly any answers,” I complained.

  “Do not be so hard on yourself. You must understand that the perfecting of the gifts comes in time. You are still new at this.” He sat down next to me and touched my face with a light hand. “Look at you sitting here frowning so. Smile! We are on holiday. You have finally met Sibelle; tomorrow we will see the beautiful sights of the island, and before you know it, the rogue will be done away with and gone forever. No worries. Everything will work out in its own time, my lovely.” He spoke with such conviction. I had no other choice but to believe him.

  I forced a small smile and started to say something about the timing of everything, but he stopped me when his lips met mine; at first soft and tender. Pulling me into his arms, within moments his kisses were more amorous. Before either of us knew what had happened, I was pinned to the bed, and all of our clothes were in a heap on the floor. He had an awesome way of taking my mind off the things that bothered me; a very nice diversion - to be sure.

  In what seemed to be only a few hours later, Emrys shook me out of my sleep, saying, “Wake up, my love. We must see the sunrise!”

  I opened my eyes to the total absence of light. “What?” The room was pitch-black.

  “Come, get dressed, my sweet. The sunrises here are outstanding. You cannot believe it unless you see it with your own eyes.”

  Barely able to raise my head up off the pillow, I checked the alarm clock, and realizing no one in their right mind could possibly be awake this early, I burrowed down deeper into the blankets. “No! You kept me awake half the night. I’m tired!” He shook me again.

  He was determined to have his way, and eventually I caved in to his persistence. We bundled up in layers and made it to the beach just in time to witness a most spectacular display. The sea was calm. As the sun inched its way up behind the distant rise of land across the water, the sea became a mirror. The ridges glowed brilliant deep pink, the sky and hills reflecting in the water. Only a thin strip of brown separated the two images. As the light grew brighter, the still air above the pink clouds became purple and dark blue, and when the sun finally emerged above the land, it kindled the earth with oranges and reds, and a burning yellow cloud surrounded it making the whole world look ablaze. It was breathtaking. We stood hand in hand, silent, watching as dawn exploded around us. After all was said and done, I was glad Emrys had convinced me to come. He was right: winter in the Hebrides was beautiful and, without seeing it for myself, I never would have believed it.

  Later on, after a leisurely breakfast, we drove to see the Callanish stones. Emrys had said that it was not an easy place to get to, but that it would be well worth the trip. Sounding somewhat like one of the many brochures he’d picked up, as he drove, he said, “Callanish is one of the most complete stone circles in Britain, with 13 large stones arranged around a central monolith overlooking a chambered tomb.” As he spoke, a series of chills shot right through me. Perhaps it was that crazy number 13 again, but something just didn’t sit right with me.

  He went on, saying, “About 40 smaller stones radiate from the circle in the form of a cross, and it is said to date from between 3,800 and 5,000 years ago.” I just nodded, hoping the rain would hold off, but wasn’t feeling the same excitement he apparently was.

  The stone circle itself was located inside of a fence next to a small lunch
and tea-room, and after passing through a small gate, you’re basically on your own. The whole place was barren; we seemed to be the only two around. I quickly discovered that the brochures were indeed correct about their magical and mysterious quality. After taking several steps closer, I definitely felt an uncomfortable and peculiar stillness, even standing at a distance, observing all the stones at once. I stopped walking, but they seemed to draw me in, as though they were trying to tell me something, but an eerie feeling of déjà vu flooded over me - conjuring up a real sense of drowning - which freaked me out completely.

  Emrys wanted to get a closer view. I refused to take a step closer.

  “But I was told that if you walk around them you get a feel for their mystery and that they have a presence all their own. Not only that,” he said, sounding excited, “they say that if you put your hands on some of the stones and just stand there for a few minutes, you can absorb some of their energy, and if you listen with your heart, the stones can be heard.”

  Goose bumps on top of goose bumps.

  No thanks!

  “I’m fine right here,” I said shaking my head and planting my feet square and solid. “This is a great view from here and I have absolutely no desire to move from this spot.”

  Perhaps he noticed the look of fear on my face - he didn’t even try to persuade me. He just nodded and put an arm around my waist as we continued to gaze at the amazing and impressive sight. I imagined that Sibelle could have received her supernatural powers of prophecy just from coming here so often. The whole area seemed to transmit waves of strange and unusual vibes, and for a moment I felt a tremor under my feet. Even the earth was vibrating!