by Tish Thawer
“Not bad. I think I finally got the traps down now, and a woman gave me my Indian name today.”
“Hey, me too! I’m Ketnu? What’s yours?” Kennedy asked.
“Karoot.” Caris laughed.
“I guess that’s fitting, seeing how you’re a genius at plants and herbs,” Kennedy said, lowering her head. “I’m sorry I took your spot in the garden today. I know it’s where you’d be more comfortable.”
“It’s okay. I really didn’t mind working at the river.” Caris nudged her sister’s shoulder as they entered the village.
They received a few waves from some of the other women they’d worked alongside, as well as some admiring looks from a few young tribesmen. They smiled and laughed, waving back and feeling less stressed until the moment they saw a white woman entering the village. Gasping and rushing for their hut, they prayed Trin would return soon without running into the previous version of herself currently milling about.
Chapter Seventeen
Caris and Kennedy peered out from behind the door of their wigwam, monitoring and keeping tabs on Katherine Hunniwell as she moved throughout the village, shaking hands and handing out gifts of some sort.
“I thought Trin said she never came to the village during her lifetime here,” Caris stated.
“I thought so too, but there’s no doubt that that is her. Katherine was the only white woman close to the tribe here.” Kennedy shook her head and took a deep breath. “This is bad. It means things are changing.”
Caris didn’t respond and both girls fell silent, returning their attention to the commotion outside. Suddenly, the strange yet familiar woman stopped and looked longingly into the forest––exactly in the direction Trin was set to come from when returning from the shaman’s hut.
“Shit! What will happen if Trin sees the older version of herself?” Caris gasped.
“I’m not sure, but she made it pretty clear it’s something we should definitely try to avoid.” Kennedy spun and began searching frantically for anything she could use as a distraction.
“Wait! Come here, she’s leaving.” Caris waved Kennedy back toward the door.
They watched in silence as Katherine waved goodbye then turned back down the path that would take her home. “Thank the Goddess.” Kennedy pointed to the shaman’s trail where they watched Trin peek out from behind a tree then race toward their wigwam in a mad dash.
“Oh thank goodness you made it!” Caris threw her arms around Trin’s neck.
“What happened? Do you know why she was here?” Trin asked.
“No. We were just returning to the village when we heard a few raised voices and then looked up to find her passing out gifts and talking to some of the tribe. How did you know she was even here?” Kennedy asked.
“I felt her, and unfortunately, I think she felt me too.” Trin started to pace the length of the dirt floor.
“I think she did too. We saw her look down the path you were on like she knew something or someone was there.” Kennedy dropped down onto her bed. “I thought you said you––she, never came here?”
“She––we didn’t.” Trin raised an eyebrow. “And did you notice the bruises on her face? I never had those in my time here.”
“No. What does that mean?” Caris whispered, dreading the answer.
“That I was right,” Kennedy sighed, “things are starting to change, and we need to get out of here as soon as possible.”
Trin looked around, noticing no extra bowls and dropped her head. “This is exactly what I feared, and to be honest, I think it’s just the beginning.”
“What do you mean?” Caris gasped.
“I mean...I think there are far worse consequences headed our way.” Trin lowered herself onto her bed, sitting cross-legged with her back against the cold, hard wall.
“Like what?” Caris pleaded.
“Well, I’m not sure about either of you, but I don’t exactly feel up to par at the moment. At first, I thought it was the stress of everything that’s happened, but now, I’m not so sure.” Trin stated.
“What do you mean? What else could it be?” Kennedy asked.
Trin dreaded having to say it out loud, but knew she couldn’t deny it for much longer. “I think being here is causing my powers to weaken.”
“WHAT?” Kennedy flew from the bed as Caris started to cry.
“Calm down, please.” Trin begged. “I need time to assess everything, but what I can tell you is when I lived here before it was without you both, so my magic was diminished. And yes, we are all here together now, but I’m not sure if that trumps the timeline of my previous life or not. Like you said, it’s all very confusing, and if we’re going to stop Ann, we need to be at our best. I suggest we all get some rest until Nadie returns, then I can question her and we’ll go from there. I need to know why Katherine ended up in this village today, seeing as it was the first change I’ve noticed, I think it’s somehow important.”
Caris wiped her eyes and nodded, trying her best to follow her big sister’s lead and remain calm. She crawled into bed and attempted to control her soft sobs as Kennedy continued to pace.
“We need to test our magic now,” Kennedy demanded.
“And what if something goes wrong?” Trin asked. “What if because we aren’t as connected here as were were at home, our magic is skewed and we alert Ann to our whereabouts? What then? We’d be sitting ducks just waiting for her to come and send each of us to a new timeline, truly tearing us apart for good.” Trin closed her eyes and let her head fall back onto the bark-covered wall. “I will not rush things because of fear or anger, so you’re going to have to trust me to get us through this.” She opened her eyes and pierced Kennedy with a determined gaze. “And I promise, I will get us through this.”
Kennedy’s jaw ticked as she contemplated Trin’s words. It wasn’t that she didn’t believe her; she knew her sister would move heaven and earth to keep them safe and make this right, but she had to admit, patience wasn’t exactly her best virtue. “I believe you, and I do trust you. I just want you to trust us too. We can help, and you need to let us.” Kennedy returned Trin’s stare. “You may have been alone when you were here before, but you’re not alone now. Don’t try to take this on all by yourself. Promise me.”
“I promise.” Trin offered her sister a slight smile then crawled into bed and forced herself to relax. Taking deep, steadying breaths, she guided herself into a meditative state, hoping the Goddess would answer her call and help provide the answers she needed to get them out of here and safely back home.
SCARBOROUGH, MAINE
Present Day
After using his magic to gain access to Caris and Kennedy’s hotel room, Jason gathered everyone’s things and loaded up his truck, securing the tow-strap between his back bumper and the front of Caris’s Jeep. It was going to be a long trip home, slow and go, and he had no idea what to do about Kennedy’s work car. His only choice was to leave it in the hotel parking lot and hoped to hell that she could deal with it once she got back. He hoped no one would call it in, because that would open up inquiries as to why she was here and where she’d gone, and those weren’t questions he could answer. At least not without magically interfering with the memory spell she’d previously cast, and that was never a good idea.
“Yes, please charge both rooms to this card.” Jason handed his credit card to the twenty-something receptionist behind the hotel counter and sighed. He hadn’t seen nor heard from Trin or her sisters in the three days he’d remained in Scarborough. It was time to return home and hopefully use all the tools at his disposal to find a way to reach them.
“Here you are, sir. All set. We hope you enjoyed your stay.” The receptionist smiled and recited her rehearsed line then returned to her computer work.
Enjoyed my stay...not exactly.
Chapter Eighteen
Gliding through the astral plain, Trin focused on the center of her magic and called to the Goddess. “My lady, please guide me through this unkno
wn time, protecting and preserving what’s truly mine. Help me return us to the present day, thwarting all evil along the way. So mote it be.”
The sound of tinkling bells woke Trin from her meditation, and while they weren’t a response from the Goddess, the peaceful feeling they elicited brought a smile to her face.
“Good morning,” a soft voice greeted.
Trin sat up and watched as another unfamiliar maiden entered their wigwam and headed straight for Kennedy’s bed.
“Tawni? What are you doing here?” Kennedy asked, pushing out from underneath her pile of fur blankets.
“I made you something.” The young maiden handed Kennedy a beautifully beaded headband. The shells and beads were the colors of the sea: blue, white, and gray. There was a large silver conch with bells, feathers, and dyed leather strands attached to the side that would hang down perfectly along her braid. “It’s lovely.” Kennedy smiled and smoothed her fly-aways then slipped the gift onto her head.
“You look so beautiful.” Tawni beamed as she reached up, gliding her fingers along Kennedy’s braid. The look of longing on her face spoke to the notion of the grass is greener on the other side, or always wanting what you don’t have. “I wish my hair was red like yours,” she confessed a moment later.
Kennedy scooted from the bed, shooting Trin a knowing look that they’d have to recolor their locks later today to avoid any further notice. “Thanks, but I prefer it dark. Would you like to help me dye it again later?”
Tawni’s eyes lit up and Trin smiled, happy Kennedy successfully diverted the conversation to avoid Tawni pointing out any other differences between them. “Yes, please!”
Kennedy laughed as she slipped her moccasins on then pulled out the rest of the leftover bread and tea from yesterday’s dinner. “You’re here pretty early. Have you eaten yet?”
“No. I wanted to get here before you left to give you your present, and I wasn’t sure if I’d see you in the garden again today or not.” Tawni shrugged and smiled shyly, finally noticing Trin and Caris in the room. “Hi! I’m Tawni.”
“So we’ve heard.” Caris laughed and gave the young maiden a wave. “Your gift is lovely.”
“Thank you. I thought it would help hold Ketnu’s braids in place while she worked.”
Trin’s eyes snapped to Kennedy’s. “Ketnu?” Trin questioned into her mind.
“Yes. Sorry, with all that happend last night, we forgot to tell you. We received our tribal names yesterday. I’m Ketnu and Caris is Karoot.”
Trin smiled and nodded her head, then turned her attention back to their young visitor. “Tawni, would you happen to know where Nadie is?”
Tawni stiffened and stood up, leaving her clump of bread on the plate. “No. I’m sorry. I don’t know.” With the nervousness of a rabbit, she bolted toward the the front of the hut. “I hope to see you at the garden again today, Ketnu. And I hope you like your gift.” She spun toward the door and was gone in a flash.
“What in the world was that?” Caris asked.
“I’m not sure.” Kennedy popped the piece of bread into her mouth.
“Well, something’s not right. That’s the second person who’s run away from me when I asked about Nadie.” Trin huffed.
“That’s no good. Do you think we should go look for her?” Kennedy asked.
Trin took a deep breath and walked to the small fire in the center of the room. “Let me question the shaman today, but if I get the same sketchy response, let’s plan to head out this evening and see what we can find.”
The girls agreed and finished their breakfast just as Semcka arrived outside their hut to provide their assignments for the day. Accepting the same ole, same ole, Trin nodded and headed back down the path that would lead her to Aranck’s, while Kennedy and Caris returned to the river and garden.
“Do you mind if I return to the garden today,” Kennedy asked, “I want to see if I can get any more info out of Tawni.”
“Of course. I think that’s a good idea. She seems to have really taken a shine to you.” Caris wrapped an arm around her sister’s shoulder.
“I don’t know about that. She’s sweet, though. Her mama is the one who told her my name yesterday. I had no idea,” Kennedy shrugged.
“Your favorite lady from the river came up and practically slapped me on the back and announced I’d been named Karoot, then walked off without another word.” Caris shook her head and laughed. “That one definitely needs to work on her bed-side manner.”
“No kidding. Well, hopefully now that we’ve received our names, we’ve graduated to some level of acceptance, however small it may be.” Kennedy shrugged off Caris’s arm and gave her a wave goodbye, turning up the path to the garden. It was her hope that she could take advantage of that acceptance and get the info they so desperately needed.
“Ketnu!!” Tawni shouted as she rushed over, clearly thrilled with her arrival and acting as if they hadn’t just seen each other minutes ago. “Hi! I’m so glad your back. Do you mind if I help you again today?”
Kennedy looked into the girls expectant eyes and couldn’t help but smile. “Of course. If it’s okay with your mama, that is.”
Tawni turned back to her mother whose kind face and agreeable nod sent the girl fluttering even closer to Kennedy’s side. Their morning was spent pulling more turnips and talking about the boy who’d help Tawni gather the beads and shells for the headband she’d made. “He’s really sweet and I think we would be a good match. At least that’s what my mama says, but we have to wait and see what Papa thinks and if the elders will approve.” Tawni wiped her brow, finally taking a breath between sentences as she plucked the last vegetable in the row.
“Looks like that’s it for the day.” Kennedy stood, stretching her stiff legs and back.
Tawni pushed up from ground and looked at their designated section and beamed at their progress. It was barely past mid-day and they’d completed their task in record time. “Since we’re done early, would you like to help me gather some more items so I can make gifts for your sisters as well?”
Kennedy contemplated Nadie’s original instructions about staying inside unless they were helping the tribe, but after receiving their names and working together for the last few days, she didn’t see the harm in taking some extra time to help her new friend. Besides, it would give her the alone time she needed to ask some questions. “Sure, that sounds fun.”
Tawni ran to get her mother’s approval then led Kennedy down another path that sloped away from the opposite side of the garden towards a small grove of birch trees. The yellowing leaves and white bark confirmed a change in season was upon them, punctuated by a crisp bite of wind as they made their descent. Kennedy pulled her furs tight around her shoulders and began her interrogation right away, not sure how much time they’d have before needing to head back. “Do you come out here often?” she asked.
“As often as I can. I love it here. The trees really speak to me.” Tawni’s eyes were glazed over with affection and Kennedy suddenly wondered if she really could communicate with the trees in this grove. Kennedy watched closely as she bent down and sorted through the underbrush for seeds, nuts, and any other shiny nuggets she could find.
“How do you turn them from their natural state into the beautiful colors you use in your gifts?” Kennedy asked, gently laying a hand on her headband.
“Magic!” Tawni’s eyes lit up, and once again Kennedy was left unsure whether she was being literal or not. However, before she could raise another question, Kennedy’s chest tightened in a painful pinch. Grabbing her heart, she pressed at the sinking feeling that had penetrated bone deep. As she struggled to catch her breath, she looked up the path and found it blocked by three of the largest trees she’d ever seen. Each had to be more than two-hundred feet tall and at least one-hundred feet around. They were connected at their base by large knuckles, each trunk baring a split where the bark was peeled back in layers––splits that seemed to be pulling at Kennedy’s very soul. The spli
ts looked like doorways into another realm, and the fact that magic tingled along her skin the closer she got, left her undoubtedly shaken. “We should go back.” She grabbed Tawni’s arm.
“Why?”
Kennedy had to think fast. “Because, I can feel the air changing and don’t want to get stuck out here in a storm.” She ran her hands up and down her arms, shivering to give her words more validity and impact.
“Okay. But if we finish early again tomorrow, will you come back with me to look for some more stones?” Tawni asked.
“Perhaps.” They continued in silence, walking back to the garden then down the other path toward the village. Kennedy bid farewell to Tawni and raced for her hut. She paced and pondered what their next move should be while waiting for her sisters to return. It was early evening before Caris and Trin joined her in the wigwam. By then, she’d become a completely frazzled mess.
Chapter Nineteen
“We have to go, now. I’m telling you, there’s something about those trees, and I think it has to do with Ann. I’m sure of it!” Kennedy smoothed her hands over her unbraided, frizzed-out hair.
Trin followed her sister’s footsteps that had become worn in the dirt while contemplating what she’d described. “Three trees, each split to its core and radiating magic?” Trin repeated out-loud.
“Yes. Exactly,” Kennedy snapped.
“Okay. I agree. Let’s go check this out, and hopefully, we can sneak close enough to the Hunniwell house to look for Nadie as well. I’m pretty sure she’s been holed-up there, and I’d really like to ask her why?” Trin explained.
“What did the shaman say today?” Caris asked as she pulled on her moccasins.
“He was no help.” Trin quirked a brow. “He likes to talk in riddles, or at least that’s what they sound like to me. Every time I’d ask about Nadie, he would just spout some nonsense and change the subject.”