by S. E. Akers
“That usually happens when you’re connected to the person, dear,” Beatrix acknowledged with a slight frown. “It takes awhile to master filtering out the guilt you feel when compelling someone you share a lot of memories with. Whether they are good ones…or bad,” she added and then lowered herself into a downward dog pose.
“Maybe you need to open up all of your eyes to see how sticky this situation truly is!” I scoffed.
She did just that. Straightway, Beatrix revealed her “third eye” as she rose back up and then walked over beside me.
“Don’t worry about it, Shiloh,” she said soothingly. “Trust me on this. Your mother will not sell Shiloh Ridge to Lazarus. I promise.” Beatrix hugged me in an attempt to seal the oath she’d just pledged.
I tried to allow her words to put me at ease, but it seemed impossible, what with the thoughts of “Lazarus trying to ring my neck with his lethal blue hands” running through my head. I walked over to the rock formation and climbed up to where the dormant wand lay. I roused it from its placid state by running my fingers along its shaft.
“Can’t we just move it? Hide it somewhere else?” I asked as I found myself hypnotized by the magnificent swirling energy that followed my slightest touch.
Beatrix clapped her hands. “That sounds like a fantastic idea! Why don’t you try that?”
I placed both my hands on the diamond wand and attempted to pull it from its rocky coal base with all of my strength. It wouldn’t budge, no matter how many times or how hard I tried.
“I can’t!”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk…Pity,” Beatrix remarked as she twisted up the rocks. “So much for that plan. Do you have any others?”
I whipped around and shot her my steeliest “are-you-crazy” look. She’s got to be kiddin’?
“I’m new to all this, Bea. You should be the one shoutin’ out the ideas.” I turned to stare at the mysterious wand again. It had me totally flummoxed. The process of claiming its powers was easy — somewhat painful, but easy. If I could possess its powers in such a simple way, then why can’t I yank it out with the same amount of effort? Frustrated, I clinched my fists as I looked up to the cosmos.
“Why won’t this thing budge?” I demanded.
Beatrix placed her hand on my shoulder, tenderly.
“Because ‘this thing’ knows you’re not ready, Shiloh. It won’t release itself until you are. Your powers are growing stronger everyday. You’re just not there yet. Your body has to be strong enough, your mind clear enough, and your soul has to be willing for the wand to be lifted from the sanctuary of its rocky bastion. I promise you, these rocks that cradle this wand and keep it shackled will break…when you’re ready. That’s part of Tanner’s and my job…to help get you ready. So, let’s not waste a minute. Okay, dear?”
I nodded my head as I looked at her through the eyes of a naïve child. I had no idea the wand was hesitant about trusting me. I’d only been concerned with me trying to trust it and dealing with all the responsibilities that came with the Wand of Adamas. Hopefully, this won’t be a test I’ll fail…That is, if my heart truly doesn’t want me to. After all, this thing was partly responsible for my father’s death.
As we maneuvered down the rock formation, I found myself amused by the word, “JUICY” stamped across the tush of her tracksuit. Cute, I thought, as I giggled to myself. Beatrix caught me admiring her ensemble.
“Do you like my outfit?” she inquired.
“Oh, yes. Um…It looks very comfortable,” I insisted, slightly embarrassed.
“Good. I’m glad you think so, because I’ve got one for you too…right over there,” Beatrix revealed as she pointed her finger over to a folded up red velour tracksuit lying beside her yoga mat. “Well, hurry up and get changed. We don’t have time to waste.”
I’ll just go with it, I thought as I scooped up the equally flashy outfit and hurried behind a large boulder to change. I really didn’t see what was wrong with the Golden Knights sweatshirt and jeans I had on. I didn’t have a clue as to what we were going to be doing down here today that dictated a wardrobe change was necessary. I’m just glad it’s not a bathing suit! It’s not that I hated the water, but I’d had enough of it over the past few days, what with the rainstorm (that I’d caused), Tanner’s flash flood, and being knocked into the waterfall yesterday afternoon. I prefer to bathe on my own time.
“There is one thing that would release the wand sooner,” Beatrix announced. “In fact, if we had it right now, we could pull the wand free and call it a day. I could even take you bird-watching. Wouldn’t that be more fun than training?”
“Don’t you mean bird-listening?” I teased as I emerged from my dressing area.
“Now you didn’t really believe that crap, did you?” Beatrix posed and gave my butt a light smack.
I grinned and shook my head.
“That looks good on you, Shiloh,” Beatrix raved and gave the eye that rested in the center of her forehead a quick wink. “You should wear more red.”
I watched as she closed her eyes and made her “third eye” suddenly disappear. She informed me that it was always there, she just kept it concealed with an invisibility spell. Convenient, I thought.
My curiosity was roused by something she had said. “Bea, what exactly is the ‘one thing’ that would allow me remove the wand…without technically being ready.”
“Why the ‘thing’ that Adamas hid many years ago of course, besides the wand. He did so right after he surrendered his powers. He knew if anyone ever found it, they could use it to lay claim to the wand instantly. Adamas couldn’t just hide them both down here together. That would’ve made it too easy for some rogue Talisman who might stumble upon it to claim its powers before you, its rightful owner could find it.”
“Okay, but what is it? Another stone?”
“No, dear. Its hilt,” she replied matter-of-factly.
“Its what?” I asked cluelessly.
“Its hilt, you know — its handle. I mean the wand is a sword for goodness’ sake. It has to have a proper handle.”
Stunned by her confession, I pointed over to the wand. “That’s a sword? You mean, like a weapon?” I blurted.
“What other kind is there, dear? And it’s not just a sword, or just a weapon. It’s the most powerful sword and weapon of its kind.”
Dazed, I returned to the rock formation and climbed back up to gaze at the wand. Awkwardly, I stood over it, inhibited by the revelation that what I thought was just a freak-of-nature, magical diamond with the ability to grant powers was actually much more than that. It was a weapon — a weapon that’s soul purpose was to take an enemy down with one fatal blow.
“What am I supposed to do with it?” I asked in a low mumble. Beatrix climbed up the rocks. Standing beside me, she gently brushed some lingering strands of hair away from my forehead and lifted my chin.
“Kill your enemies, dear,” Beatrix revealed as she looked profoundly into my eyes.
The words that rolled off her tongue were delivered just as honeyed as if she’d asked, “Would you like another cup of cider, dear”. “Kill your enemies, dear”, echoed in my mind while my heart skipped several beats. Everything Tanner and Bea had revealed to me culminated at that moment standing over the Wand of Adamas — my weapon. I’d known the dangers and now, the reality of the price I must pay for this gift was presented to me. Soon, I would be a killer. That prompted me to truly look into my heart and ask myself if even vengeance could actually allow my soul to take another person’s life. Sure, my mind had been churning with thoughts of killing Lazarus over the past few days. I had justified it as fitting revenge. But was that reason enough? This was a life, even if he was an evil bastard. The diamond gave me the awesome power of healing people and restoring life. It seemed a bit of a contradiction for me to be quick to take someone’s — not without a really good reason. Tanner had even warned me about the toll that vengeance can take on one’s soul. When it came down to it — Could I actually “do it”? U
ndoubtedly, I had a lot of painstaking soul-searching to do.
Beatrix sensed my apprehension. She hugged me and then guided my frame down from the rock formation.
“Shiloh,” she began, “I know what you’re thinking. We’ve all been there and had those same thoughts. Taking another’s life is an enormous burden to bear, even when you have to because it means saving your own. I have faith in you. You’ll work it out. We’re here to help you, dear. You’re strong enough. I know you are, with every fiber of my being. After all, it’s in your blood.”
At least someone has faith in me, I thought as I found myself trying to clear my guilty conscience of things I hadn’t done — yet.
“Oh, and Shiloh…The most important thing to know about a sword is never, ever draw it unless you’re prepared to use it. Always keep that in mind.” With that said, Beatrix led me over to a small rock formation in the center of the cave. “Climb up there, dear. We’re going to work on your balance and reflexes for a while. That’s important when learning the art of swordplay.”
I climbed up a mound of wobbly rocks that were stacked about seven feet off the ground. Once up there, I was able to see a circle that had been dug in the cave’s floor surrounding the base of the rocky pillar.
“Let’s see how hard it is to knock you off your pedestal, so to speak,” Beatrix announced as she placed her hands together in a very ceremonial way. “But…I think you need more of a challenge…Something that will spark your attention…Keep you on your toes.” She snapped her fingers. “I know just the thing. How ‘bout a little fire.”
I looked down at the circle that lined the rocky mound’s perimeter and started to speculate about her golden topaz. I thought about yesterday’s exercise with Tanner, when he’d revealed his stone reigned as a water element. I was left with the clear impression that Beatrix Sutherland’s golden topaz was unmistakably a fire stone.
Alert and ready, I steadied myself on the unstable mound of rocks while I watched Beatrix wave her hands around in a circle dramatically, like she was about to perform a great mystical feat. When her arms came to a stop, her third eye popped open abruptly. I still found it quite shocking, but I jumped a little less each time. Beatrix cupped her hands and started to reveal something hidden in them.
I told myself, Get ready…
Beatrix looked directly at me with her most intimating of stares, opened her hands, and flicked…a little gold lighter.
I thought, A lighter? What the heck? Astounded by the misconceived notion I’d concocted, I watched as she lowered herself to the ground and ignited the circle with the lighter’s help.
With a freakin’ lighter, I kept thinking. I watched the fire struggling to flow around the base of the rocky pedestal. You’ve got to be kidding. I’d seen birthday candles that kicked up more flames than what she had. Well, that’s impressive, I mocked silently. Oh, yeah. This is really going to be challenging…
“I take it your golden topaz isn’t even remotely associated with fire — Is it?”
“No, dear. It’s not.” Beatrix noticed the grin on my face and let out a boisterous laugh, acknowledging what I must have been thinking. “That’s funny, Shiloh. No, no. Mine’s different, dear.” Her brow rose. “I reign over the air,” she boasted with a crafty grin.
With that said, Beatrix took her hands and waved them violently at the circle’s feeble flames. Nervously, I watched the fire’s intensity grow from that of candlelight’s flicker into the towering blaze of an inferno. The fire was now reaching out for me like groping hands, trying to ensnare me with its scorching flames. I stood on the mound of rocks — trying to avoid their grasp — all while keeping myself steady on the wobbly, makeshift pedestal.
After a few minutes of dodging the fierce flares shooting out from the ring of fire surrounding me, I found myself still safe, secure, and steady on the rocky pillar. This isn’t so bad…I haven’t fallen off yet. My reflexes had always been well above average, and now knowing I supposedly had these talents buried in me all this time, I finally understood why.
“You’re doing very well, dear. Very well, indeed,” Beatrix praised. “But let’s kick it up a notch… Shall we?”
If she kicked it up anymore, I won’t be in a circle of fire…I’ll be in a daggone ball of it! The flames were already fanning over my head at times. I just hope diamond-hard skin is also fire-retardant!
While I struggled to keep my balance, I kept one eye on the flames and other on Beatrix. She began to pace back and forth in a commanding fashion with her stare fixed on me, and my rocky pedestal. All of a sudden, Beatrix pushed her arms out towards the rocky base, directing them right below me. I felt a rapid thrust of air channeling under my feet. Instantly, one of the rocks I was standing on blew right out from under me. I was thrown for a loop. My leg raised while the other one tried to maintain its footing. I wasn’t expecting “that”. As soon as I steadied myself, she blew two more rocks out from under me. Yet again, I found myself in a state of frenzy, trying to maintain my balance while dodging the fierce flames — both at the same time. She had me shifting my weight back and forth so much I felt like a buoy in the middle of a stormy sea.
After a couple of minutes of blasting away rocks, Beatrix called out, “How’s it coming? Are you close to falling off, dear?”
I looked at her, somewhat shaken and agitated. “Not YET,” I called back in a candy-coated, though flustered tone. There was no way I was going to let her beat me at this one, not after all the little games she’d played the other day. My competitive-side wouldn’t allow it.
“Have it your way,” Beatrix sang and then like a shot, directed one massive gust of wind towards the remaining stones on the mound. All the rocks exploded out of the pile. I even got caught up in the strong current. My body went sailing backward, headed straight for the flames.
I braced myself for a quick tuck & roll as I landed in the fiery circle. As soon as I saw the flames engulfing me, I realized that thankfully my skin was not on fire. It wasn’t painful, just tremendously warm. I felt somewhat moist too and noticed that I appeared to be sweating profusely.
Well, I’m not on fire or even “soaking” wet (which was a relief). I rose from the flames, and with a confident stride, I strutted over to where Beatrix was standing at the base of the wand’s rock formation. As I approached, she made an insinuating gesture by clearing her throat and pointed to my clothes. I looked down at myself. Crap! I may not be burnt, but I’m as sure as shit covered in a horrible film of soot!
“If you hadn’t changed into that tracksuit, which has been dyed with rubies, you wouldn’t have on any clothes at all I’m afraid,” she revealed with a smile. “Just keep that in mind. Rubies emit their own special fire. They never absorb another’s.”
Wide-eyed, I mused to myself, That would definitely be a problem.
“Allow me, dear,” Beatrix insisted.
My eyes narrowed as she pushed me backward. Beatrix puckered her lips together, and then with the force of a hurricane, she blew a ferocious gust of wind my way. The blast rattled my body and caused my clothes (and my ponytail) to whip violently. When she stopped, I checked my clothes and skin. Not a trace of soot, I noted.
“Thank you, Bea.”
“You’re welcome, dear. It was the least I could do.” She licked her finger and used it to wipe one remaining smudge from my cheek. She stepped back and smiled. “There you go. Perfect. That’s the unfortunate thing about fire. Even though you’re resistant to its destructive effects, it leaves a hideous film of soot on your skin. Plus, it makes you…very sweaty,” Beatrix claimed with a stout grimace.
I nodded in agreement as I climbed up the rock formation, following her lead. I pointed over to the bonfire still burning wildly in the center of the cave.
“How do we put out the fire?”
“Do you have an extinguisher?” Beatrix asked playfully.
“No. Not on me,” I acknowledged as I checked my pockets and smiled.
“The old fashioned w
ay it is then,” Beatrix replied and then waved her arms once more, forcing a gust of air to lift some dirt off the ground. The sandstorm-like cloud covered the fiery ring and put out the flames in an instant. Beatrix clapped her hands like she was knocking dirt from them and announced, “That’s done. Now we can work on your form and some basic movements. Oh, and we mustn’t forget the rules of swordplay. Those are extremely important.”
Beatrix was now standing across from me, on the other side of the wand.
“Um, if I can’t pry the wand loose…then what are we going to practice with?”
In one sweeping motion, Beatrix pulled out two long wooden swords from behind her back. I jumped as she flourished them in the air.
“Play swords, of course,” Beatrix announced proudly as she handed one of them to me. Hesitantly, I took it and managed to muster a grin.
“Thanks,” I replied, still somewhat leery.
As she motioned me back to the center of the cave, I thought nervously, So we’re REALLY doing this. The idea of fending someone off with magic seemed less “physically” intrusive for some reason. Though I suppose realistically, it was the same as using a really big stick. They were both a means to an end. How hard could it be?
I stood as she requested, in the center of the cave with my wooden sword in hand. Beatrix circled me for a solid minute. Her strut was assertive and calculated. Finally, the tense silence was broken with a purposeful clearing of her throat.
“A swordfight is like a dance between two people…like a tango. Its essence is aggressive and enticing…but unlike a tango, the only passion that’s spawn is from the victor’s desire to live.”
My eyes inadvertently drifted off into space while my mind conjured up a particularly humorous vision. I wonder if Ty ever had a lesson like this? I couldn’t get the picture of Ty and Beatrix dancing a sultry tango out of my head.
My distraction didn’t go unnoticed — nor unpunished — when Beatrix swiftly smacked my butt with the wooden sword she was holding in her hand.