by S. E. Akers
She continued, “It’s simple, if well-executed, but difficult to master if your confidence is hindered, or you’re…” she cleared her throat again and added, “NOT PAYING ATTENTION to your challenger.”
I straightened my stance as a show of apology.
“And like a tango, there’s always a predator who takes the lead and prevails over their partner in the exchange. All tactical movements, whether directed at you or from you, must be fielded from your body. Your desire to dominate your opponent will manifest itself from the cunning recesses of your mind. But most important, the passion to kill your enemy must burn from the depths of your soul.”
Though her words were echoing in the hollowed out cave around us, I felt them churning in my mind as well. That in turn, kicked up a whole lot of nervousness throughout my entire body.
Beatrix went on, “You must listen to your instincts, and let your mind guide your body’s movements. Measure them twice and strike once. Keep yourself engaged with your opponent, just like you would in the dance. With a sword’s length between you and your opponent, your upper body must both fend off and strike out at them, while your feet strive to keep you steady and nibble, allowing you to anticipate your adversary’s next move so you can seek out their weakness.” She took a deep breath and exhaled. “All right then, dear. Let’s get started. Shall we?”
Beatrix stood behind me and adjusted my stance. She kicked my feet apart and held on to my shoulders.
“You need to relax, dear. You’re too stiff. You need to be as agile as possible,” she insisted. “Now,” Beatrix began, “First things, first. Once you have made the decision to ‘use it’, you must draw your sword as quickly as possible. So, go on…Whip it out there.”
Still slightly hesitant, I gave the wood-fashioned sword a quick twirl at my side to ease some of my nervousness and started to lift it towards my chest.
Beatrix grabbed hold of the sword before I could raise it fully. “Please. Don’t ever do that…EVER.”
Stunned by the sternness of her candor, I straightened myself up (again) to a more focused and serious stance.
My bad.
Beatrix let go of the sword, and I carefully lifted it up to my chest.
“Excellent. Now, you must be aware of your surroundings and size up your opponent. Never underestimate them. Once you’ve done that, engage them by keeping your eyes on your enemy and direct your sword towards their head or throat. Personally, I prefer the eye,” she announced with a sassy wink. Beatrix positioned my arms accordingly and announced, “Perfect…Now you’re ready. En Garde!”
Beatrix spent the rest of the morning guiding me through her instructions. We worked on my stance, balance, reflexes, and she even gave me a pretty lengthy list of do’s and don’ts. She told me to relax, but to be on my guard. Conserve your energy, but you must be aggressive. Hold your stance, but that I needed to move around more. Stay engaged, but keep my distance. Always expect the unexpected. A single strike will take down a foe, but combination strikes were much more effective. Stand your ground, but you must retreat to fight another day — if necessary. Don’t attempt any fancy footwork, but keep your legs moving because they’re “an easy target”. You need to have a strong offense, but a stronger defense will keep you alive. She even swore if she ever caught me trying any “foolish nonsense” like crazy acrobatic moves or twirling my sword while I was in a fight that she would hunt me down and “run me through” herself. I think my favorite was, “Expect to be cut, since anyone who uses a sword has most likely had it dipped in diamond-dust, which guarantees that their blade will not break.” Yeah, that one really gave me the warm & fuzzies.
The most disheartening thing about my “practice session” wasn’t my skills, not in the least. Even Beatrix was impressed with the inborn talent I possessed. My problem was my heart. I was still struggling with the idea of actually taking someone down. Though Beatrix was a great cheerleader, I thought the home team needed more of a confidence booster. Admittedly, I felt like a scared little girl, even Beatrix sensed it — but I swear I would never tell Tanner Grey that!
Midday had arrived and Beatrix announced, “I think we’re at a good stopping point. Let’s break for some lunch, shall we?”
I eagerly agreed. I had run out of the house this morning in such a panic that I’d forgotten to eat breakfast. Beatrix reached for something behind a large cluster of rocks. It turned out to be a picnic basket.
She proudly toted the wicker basket up the stone stairs and turned to ask, “Aren’t you coming?” I nodded and followed behind her. “Bring the swords,” she added. “I’m going to see how much you’ve learned after lunch.”
I gathered up the two wooden swords and followed her up the stairs. Beatrix held on to the wall of the cave as she hobbled at a snail’s pace up the steps. I followed patiently behind her. It dawned on me that maybe she’d been chosen to train me because I was probably no match for Tanner Grey. Surely, Beatrix’s physical abilities were better suited to my novice and limited skills when it came to sword fighting. I thought, as any respectful young adult would, I’ll take it easy on her.
Once outside, Beatrix waved her hand and sealed the entrance.
“Do you know how to get to the old mill in Babcock?” she inquired.
The mill she was referring to sat beside Glade Creek in Babcock, West Virginia. It was southeast of Fayetteville, where Tanner and I had been yesterday morning.
“Yes. I’ve been there before.”
“Good. Then you won’t have any problems finding your way. I think it’s the ideal place for a fall picnic and to work on your balance. We’ll put some of those moves you’ve learned to use. Practice makes perfect.”
I quietly sulked, Great…More water.
“Would you mind toting the basket, dear?”
I happily obliged her. There I stood, play swords in one hand and picnic basket in the other. I was curious why she wanted to know if I knew how to get there. Is it possible she’s faster than Tanner, or is she just being more considerate? He was prone to, without warning, make a quick exit.
“Since I know where we’re going, this time…Do you want to lead, or should I?”
“Oh, you’ll get there before me, without a doubt,” she chuckled. “But Shiloh, dear…I don’t run.”
Beatrix swiftly threw her arms out and transformed into none other than my feathery little friend, the falcon. Amazed, I watched her altered form soar high into the sky with effortless grace. Once the shock had subsided, I held on tightly to the load of items I was to carry and prepared to head off through the mountains to rendezvous at the old mill thinking, Sneaky old bird…
She was right. I arrived about five minutes ahead of her, but that allowed me to lay down the blanket and divvy up the food. The scenery was spectacular. The fall foliage was at its peak and the trees circling the old grain mill were exploding with autumn colors. Not only did the steady rhythm of the churning wheel as it passed through the water sound soothing, but it visually lent our venue a picturesque and peaceful air. The birds were chirping and the sun was shining. It was another absolutely gorgeous day. It would have been perfect…if my father could have experienced its beauty too.
I was skipping on the scattered rocks that lay alongside the creek, working on my balance, when Beatrix finally arrived. In one swoop, she landed and changed back into the elderly woman’s form I’d known for years.
“I’m sorry to run late, dear,” Beatrix apologized. “I took the scenic route.”
“How did you do THAT?” I asked, still amazed.
As we walked over to sit down on the blue & white-checked blanket, she revealed, “The topaz is an air element, dear. I don’t necessarily have to turn into a bird to fly, but I enjoy doing so. When I’m in my regular, human form it may seem like I’m flying, but I’m actually controlling the air around me. I make it give me a little boost. Tanner’s a water element, so he can manipulate water in the air and change into his misty, vapor-like form. You really don’
t need to rely on the elements when traveling. The strength of your legs will carry you fast enough. One day, you’ll even catch up to Tanner and beat him. Please tell me when you do,” she said with a grin. “Though I’d love to see that, in person.”
“But how did you change into a falcon? That was incredible!”
“The topaz is a very unique stone that represents change. It not only allows the stone to take on various colors, but its same energy enables me to alter my appearance as well…though I’m limited to creatures of flight. Since I can ‘fly’ and have an affinity for fowls, I choose to be a falcon. They’re incredibly agile creatures and excellent hunters.” Bea laughed and pointed, “Plus, I don’t have to worry about any other bird attacking me when I’m up there.”
“Can I change my form with the golden topaz?” I asked eagerly.
“No,” Beatrix announced regretfully. “I’m sorry to say that the same type of defensive power that won’t allow the diamond to pass on your body’s invincibility, also prevents my topaz from sharing its shape-shifting power with any other Talisman. It’s a precautionary measure, but a necessary one I’m afraid.”
As we sat down for lunch, Beatrix grinned and added, “However… Adamas could, but that power he drew from another stone.” Beatrix could tell by my expression that I was more than intrigued. She explained, “Shiloh, the diamond is the only stone that reigns as a storm element. That is what allows you to draw some of the powers from the four earthly elements of air, water, fire, and earth. It’s why Adamas could claim more than one origin stone. No other Talisman can. Adamas was the first, and only one to ever do so. Granted the diamond wand was officially his first ‘birth-stone’…he actually had four other stones that spoke to him and ‘sought him out’. Each one of them represented one of the earthly elements. That, my dear, is another reason why your diamond wand is such a popular ‘prize’ to be acquired.”
Casually, Beatrix began pouring our drinks and continued, “You see, Shiloh, an origin stone, or birth-stone, which is its more ceremonious name, is the stone that the cosmos bestows upon you when you’re born. It calls out to you, whispers in your ear at night, and warms your soul. Just like my golden topaz called out to me when I discovered I was a Talisman, and like Tanner’s amethyst did to him. The diamond wand has been calling out to you for years now. You just weren’t ready to hear it. Your birth-stone will only reveal itself when you’re ready. It’s the one stone that allows its powers to flow through your body at all times without the need to carry it around with you. It’s also the only stone that can be born from your flesh. It knows your thoughts, feelings, and desires. It even harbors your memories. It knows you inside and out. Like I told you before, that’s why the diamond hasn’t released itself to you… It knows, dear.”
“I’m getting a little worried that I may never be ready, Bea. This is all so much in such a short amount of time. Don’t get me wrong. It’s the most exciting thing that’s ever happened to me, but it bears a lot of responsibilities and burdens…Ones I’d never dreamed of in a million years. I’m not one-hundred-percent sure right now, if I can actually do this… Be a Talisman?”
“I have faith in you, dear,” Beatrix proclaimed as she patted my hand. “The wand does, too. Personally, I think it’s just giving you some space. They tend to have minds of their own sometimes, just like we do.”
“How can you or the wand be so sure when I’m not?” I asked skeptically.
“Because, Shiloh…it is your destiny.”
My Talisman lessons didn’t stop just because we were about to eat lunch. Beatrix informed me that Lazarus’ stone, the lapis lazuli, reigned as an air element — the same as her topaz. However, since he wasn’t the first to claim it, his powers were quite inferior to hers. Beatrix knew the original owner of the lapis lazuli. She was quick to let me know that he was nothing like Lazarus. His name was Gahiji. I thought it sounded rather exotic and by the way her face lit up when she spoke his name, I could tell they were more than just “acquaintances”.
Beatrix revealed there were only two ways to claim another living Talisman’s stone. One way was if they willingly surrendered it to another Talisman, which she assured me “rarely ever happens”. Since Adamas surrendered his powers back to the diamond wand itself, that act allowed me to bear the full fruits of the wand’s powers, so I could “rightfully” claim it as my “origin” stone.
The other way was by dying at the hands of another Talisman. This, she avowed, was the more commonly practiced tactic. Even if they successfully claimed another Talisman’s stone by killing them, they still couldn’t consider it a “true” origin stone, because it was not bestowed by the cosmos as their birthright. It was obtained by force, hence, it would only exude half of the stone’s intended power and could not be born from their flesh. Beatrix did mention that if I were ever to claim another Talisman’s stone by killing them, where my diamond’s power magnifies all other stones, I would be able to summon the stone’s full power. However, the acquired stone could not be born from my flesh either, because the diamond’s powers would never allow it.
The only way for a stone to be “officially” reclaimed as an origin stone was if a Talisman died naturally, by chance of fate, or was killed by anyone other than a Talisman. The Talisman’s origin stone would lay in wait for the cosmos to produce its next heir. Apparently, that’s how Gahiji died, so his stone went unclaimed for centuries, allowing it to be rightfully claimed as an origin stone by the next Talisman born unto to the earth. And that birth-stone right was unfortunately bestowed to Lazarus Xcavare when he came along.
Beatrix confirmed that Lazarus was the one responsible for the freak blizzard on the night of Daddy’s death. Where his lapis lazuli possessed a great deal of psychic abilities (similar in nature to mine, but not in strength) his emotions could generate snowfalls. She said that Lazarus’ blue powder, which he had inflicted my father with, was a poison he could conjure at will. She said its effects were horribly dreadful and fatally potent. She also took great delight in revealing that even though he could manipulate the air around him to some degree, he couldn’t use it to fly. That ability was granted to only a select few air elemental stones, ones of more formidable power, which his was not.
She continued, “But your diamond is special, my dear. It was specifically crafted to magnify all the other stones. And, it is the only stone to reign as a storm element, which allows you, just like in nature, to command all the earthly elements and borrow some of their capabilities. That’s a very powerful asset. It’s another strength that makes you unique and so desirable to others. Yes, in deed. Extremely powerful and pure…but very tempting,” Beatrix announced with a raise of her brow.
When Beatrix shifted to reposition her legs, I spotted a shiny chain peeking out from the bottom hem of her pants. It turned out to be several bands of intertwined gold that had a rather large golden topaz fashioned to it.
I pointed to the ankle bracelet. “That’s quite beautiful, Bea.”
“That’s my original golden topaz, dear,” Beatrix beamed. “I haven’t worn it in years. Not since I started wearing the ring I gave you.” I looked down at the still dormant, round golden topaz on my finger. Beatrix nodded to my ring. “I made that for you the second you were born. I’ve been waiting all this time to give it to you. I had to hide it the other day when Lazarus showed up. Stones have memories, Shiloh, as well as minds of their own. Always keep that in mind, dear. Even though my tiger’s-eye helps to conceal my identity from Lazarus’ mind, if his lapis lazuli were to have, by chance, picked up on my golden topaz,” Beatrix paused and appeared a little red-faced. She smiled and added, “It might have revealed some, let’s say…emotional memories of Gahiji’s to Lazarus, and my cover would have been blown.”
I observed a sense of longing in her eyes as she gazed at the golden topaz on her ankle. It was now more than evident that she and this Gahiji shared something special.
Beatrix composed herself quickly. “Just remember…You ca
n’t always control the memories of a stone. Sometimes they can just pop-up. But they’re not always bad ones. Most of them are quite helpful, and you can learn from them,” she added with a smile, trying not to sound so foreboding. With that warning lingering in my head, I attempted to finish my lunch.
Our picnic ended in about an hour. The meal was excellent, a real gourmet spread — roast beef sandwiches on buttery croissants, assorted cheeses, and plenty of fresh fruit. I made the mistake of reaching for a bag of sunflower seeds in the picnic basket, only to have my hand smacked away. She politely informed me that those were “for the birds”. I should have figured as much.
“By the way, Bea…do you have a cell?” I asked.
“Why’s that, dear?” Beatrix asked somewhat puzzled.
A bit startled by her answer to an obvious reason why I would ask, I announced, “Um…So I can call you?”
“You can do that now…with the golden topaz I gave you. Even though it still needs to be charged, you can still use it to talk to me,” Beatrix revealed casually as she tossed the scraps from my plate over to some nearby squirrels.
My brow furrowed. “How’s that?”
“Didn’t Tanner already tell you about this?”
“Tanner doesn’t tell me a lot of things,” I replied flatly.
“That doesn’t surprise me. That’s Tanner. Oh, well. I’ll tell you. It’s simple. All you need is a stone from the Talisman you need to reach. You hold their stone in your hand tightly, and then you send them your thoughts, words, or images. Whatever you want to tell them. They receive it immediately. If they have one of your diamonds, then they can talk back to you…if they choose. Tanner has a really bad habit of screening his messages. It takes him awhile,” Beatrix revealed with a heated roll of her eyes. “It’s a very convenient way to communicate. And the best thing about it is no dropped calls,” she added with a wink.
As I lowered my head to hide my grin, a thought popped into my head. “So, if you want to talk to me…I need to give you a diamond. Is that right?”