by Tish Thawer
“I will signal Phaedra.” I whispered a quick spell, sending my words across the back of a breeze, straight to the angel’s ears. “Now, let us conjure up the supplies, so they will be ready to rebuild.”
Kenna and Jeremiah smiled, then moved into place as we prepared to cast the spell that would provide the necessary items for the tribe to reclaim their lives here within the canyon. Cupping our hands, we each held our respective stones while connecting to the tribal magic native to this land.
“God and Goddess, hear our plea, help provide for those in need. Supply what is needed, and nothing more, for the work of the tribesmen shall endure. So mote it be.”
Our stones glowed, each in their vibrant hues as I finished the chant. The materials needed appeared in the center of the village, and a rush of magic blasted back into each of our chests.
Kenna gasped. “Wow! That was amazing. I haven’t felt power like that since before we lost Karina.”
I shook out my arms, trying to dissipate the buzzing energy running through my veins. “The tribe’s magic is definitely powerful and combining it with ours seems to have heightened its reach.”
Jeremiah stared at the stone in his hand as the red glow began to fade.
“It will need to be contained,” he stated, stone-faced. His gaze snapped to mine. “I know we agreed to strip the shaman of his magic, but what is to stop someone else from tapping into this energy and creating another time loop or wreaking havoc in some other way?”
I looked at Kenna, who simply nodded, agreeing the risk was far too great to take.
Chapter 15
Chief Aquakawwa
The Great Falls glistened as the night sky filled with stars. Huddled with our families, my tribe and I gathered near its base, awaiting word of our beloved village.
Gasps of awe echoed through the crowd when the beautiful White Woman appeared atop a large boulder in front of us. “I bring word from the witches. The attack is over. You may return to your village, but beware, all has been lost. Provisions, however, will be provided for you to begin again.”
I quieted the crowd. “Thank you and thank the Great Spirit for sparing our tribe.”
The White Woman nodded, then approached my shaman, holding him back as I led my people into the forest. I made no move back toward them, nor had the need to inquire why, for I knew it was time for the shaman to face his punishment. Before they fell from my sight, however, the witches appeared through the trees, and I wondered if I would ever see my shaman again.
Kara
After completing the spell for the tribe’s provisions, Kenna opened another portal that we all stepped through, emerging back at the Great Falls as planned.
“Everything all right?” Phaedra asked, still gripping the shaman’s shoulder and playing her role of the White Woman perfectly.
Jeremiah nodded, moving closer to the edge of the water just as Gaby and Ric emerged from the forest, still in their human forms.
“Have you decided what you are going to do with him?” Ric asked, lifting a chin toward the kneeling shaman.
“Yes. We know what has to be done.” I approached the shaman, who lowered his head, finally accepting his fate. “For abusing the ancient power of this land, he will now and forever be stripped of his tribal magic. Neither he nor anyone in this canyon will be able to wield its power without first proving their worth.” I paused and looked between Ric, Gaby, and Phaedra. “But we will need your help to protect it.”
Ric looked to Gaby and shrugged. “What can we do?”
“Our time here will come to an end sooner or later, at which point we will continue on our soul journeys and most likely never return here again. We need protectors to stay in this canyon and watch over the magic once we are gone.”
Phaedra stepped closer, her sad eyes meeting mine. “I cannot promise to remain in the canyon at all times, but I will return often to maintain a watch over it. I hope that will be acceptable.”
I smiled. “Having the White Woman drop in now and then would truly be a blessing.”
Dipping her head shyly, Phaedra made her goodbyes, and in a display of power and grace, took to the sky and faded from view behind the clouds.
Turning again to the Kasuns, I asked, “Can we count on you, too? You have protected this area for so long, it would be our hope that you would continue to do so, holding this secret in place.”
Gaby stepped forward, her chin held high. “Of course. We will stay within the area and continue to protect the magic and people of this land.” Shifting into their wolf forms, she and Ric moved to the water’s edge, lying down, ready to witness as silent protectors.
Satisfied all would be well after we had gone, I gestured to Kenna and Jeremiah to take their places. “Then it is time.”
The three of us surrounded the shaman, holding the stones in the palms of our hands. Closing our eyes, we pulled deeply on our pool of true magic from the goddess and allowed our powers to build. Each stone began to glow, radiating with the natives’ magic as our energies combined.
“Siphon the magic from this man, protect the history and this land. Guarded by the dedicated three, concealed and linked, forever shall it be.”
Repeating the chant three times, we stood still as ribbons of energy flowed from the shaman’s aura and into each of our stones.
All three stones pulsed in our hands as we trapped the shaman’s magic inside. Flinching, I looked down at my stone as it became hot against my palm. The perfect oval stone––a pale pink in its natural state––suddenly changed, its interior shifting to a milky white, like a cloud forming in its center.
“Why is yours now different?” Jeremiah asked as our spell came to an end.
I closed my eyes and held the stone against my heart, concentrating on the pull I’d felt from the first time I had touched it.
“Make your way to my daughter’s hand, lending her guidance as fore-planned, give her this message, for she will know what to do, ‘Time is fluid, fickle yet true.’”
I continued to whisper into the stone, leaving a message for a daughter I had yet to conceive.
Kenna gasped, openly shocked. “Well, that is an interesting development!”
Jeremiah moved to support the shaman who was still alive, yet clearly drained.
“A discussion for another time,” he stated, helping the elder to his feet. “Let us finish this, so we can return him to the village and prepare to say our goodbyes.”
Jeremiah nodded to Ric and Gaby, who stalked forward, standing behind the shaman as we moved into place to complete the last part of our spell.
Nearing the pond’s edge, Jeremiah, Kenna, and I looked up at the Great Falls and gathered our magic once more. Holding our arms over the surface, the stones that now contained the shaman’s power floated out of our hands and hovered in midair above the water.
“Magic stored safely within, encased for all time from beginning to end. Mixed with our power, by the witches three. Protect this new aether, so mote it be.”
Kenna and I fell backwards as a massive shockwave blasted from the pond, sending a tube of water straight into the air. Jeremiah stumbled to keep his balance and raced to help us as we watched the water whip around the stones. Within the liquid vortex, bright bursts of pink, red, and purple shot into the swirling mass. Seconds later, the water wall dissipated in a rush, sucking the absorbed magic to the bottom of the pond with it, along with the stones. A stillness hung in the air as a silver tint blossomed just under the water’s surface.
“The magic of this tribe, combined with that of our goddess, will now remain in the Great Falls for all time,” I explained as I turned to face Ric and Gaby. “Protect it, for it will undoubtedly draw many others to the area.”
Ric and Gaby lifted their snouts into the air, confirming their earlier promise, then ran into the surrounding evergreens.
“Let’s go,” Jeremiah prompted, taking the shaman gently by the arm.
Kenna shook her head, claiming a piece of hair
between her fingers. “We will need to walk back to the village. My powers are too drained to tear another rip for us to use.”
I placed an arm around my sister’s shoulders and fell in line behind Jeremiah as he led the shaman through the thick forest.
“You know, the Utes harvest the inner bark of these pines for their healing compresses and teas.” I pointed to the large ponderosas surrounding us, pinpointing the visible scars on the trunks. “Perhaps we could incorporate some of it into Karina’s healing tea.” I winked. “I think we could all use a magical boost after that.”
Kenna smiled and pulled a knife from her thick wool coat, carefully taking just enough to aid in our healing. “Once our energy is restored, we need to discuss what just happened, and also how we are going to get back to our search for Karina.”
“Do you not think we could live out our lives as the Vargas family while we search for her here?” Jeremiah asked from a few steps in front of us.
I dropped my head, not ready to discuss the facts of what I knew in my heart to be true. “I am sorry, but we need to return to our true soul journey as soon as possible because . . . Karina is not here.” I reached for Kenna’s hands again. “Not only did the shaman trap us in his time loop, but we have been diverted away from our original destination in time. If we stay here, we will lose an entire lifetime of searching for our sister.”
Kenna stopped on the trail, pulling her hands from mine, and wrapped her arms around her middle. “What does that mean? How are we supposed to trigger our next soul journey, then?”
I took a deep breath and replied, “We will have to die.”
Chapter 16
Kara
“Thank you for not killing him.” Chief Aquakawwa bowed to us all, and then led the elder to the back of the temporary structure that had already been erected in the center of the village. “You are still my welcome guests here. Please stay as long as you like. A teepee will be ready for you within the hour.”
“Thank you.” Jeremiah tilted his head to the chief, then walked back to meet Kenna and me, where we stood waiting off to the side. “A place will be ready for us soon. Until then, I think we should find some utensils to brew that healing tea and discuss our plans.”
A large fire pit had already been dug outside the gathering tent, where I quickly found three metal cups. “I am surprised they have such modern utensils.”
“I’m sure they were traded for during the recent peace treaties.” Jeremiah smiled as he poured the provided water into each cup, then waited for me to do my part.
Looking around to make sure we were not being watched, I opened the clasp on my poison ring––the one I wore at all times. From journey to journey, it never wavered from my finger and held Karina’s special blend of healing herbs that she had created long ago. Tipping the dried flakes from within, I filled each cup then snapped the metal closed.
“I miss her so much.” Memories of our original lifetime together filled my mind as I stirred the tea.
“I know,” Kenna replied. “So do I. But I promise, we will find her soon.”
I sniffed the warm brew, its potent notes of angelica root, adder’s-tongue, and burdock tickling my nose. “I hope so, but I wish it didn’t have to be this way. I am not sure ending the Vargas’s lives prematurely is something I can come to terms with.”
“What other choice do we have? And how do we know they were not destined to freeze up here during their dealings with the tribe, or be killed in the Comanche raid anyway?” Jeremiah asked as delicately as possible. “I know it sounds cruel, but we cannot tell their future. However, we do know Karina will have one once we get out of here.”
I jerked my chin in understanding, then sat quietly and sipped my tea.
As promised, within the next hour a teepee had been set up in the same location as our previous one. Kenna and I rushed inside, anxious to tuck in beneath the warmth of the furs and skins.
“Get some rest, and we will make a plan tomorrow.” Jeremiah slid down to a pallet laid out on the ground and crawled beneath its coverings.
I tried to hide the soft sighs and tiny whimpers coming from my cries and heard Kenna doing the same. No further words were spoken as I fell asleep with both hope and dread in my heart as the reality of our plans continued to sink in.
Soft rays pierced through the tiny holes in the skin of the teepee, creating a dazzling grid of sunlight throughout. I could hear the tribesmen and women already hard at work outside, tightening up the seams and hauling supplies from here to there.
“Good morning,” Jeremiah offered tentatively, probably unsure if I would be able to forgive him for what we had to do.
“Good morning.” I rose slowly, stretching my arms and back, then walked toward Jeremiah, wrapping my arms around his middle. “Thank you for always looking out for us and putting Karina first.”
He hugged me tightly. “Always.”
“Okay, okay. Let me in here.” Kenna joined in on the quick family hug, then pulled away, rubbing her stomach.
“So, food first, then plans?” she asked, flipping her long dark hair over her shoulder.
“Yes, please.” I grabbed a large clay bowl from beside the door. “But first, let me go fetch some water for us to clean up with.”
I pulled on my fur hat and exited the teepee, stepping immediately into the flurry of activity racing by outside. Horses pulling large lodge poles pounded near me, while women and children scurried about, gathering any remaining vegetables and berries they could find to restock their food supply. The efficiency with which the tribe had begun to rebuild brought a smile to my face as I made my way to the nearby stream. Bending down, I lowered the bowl into the frigid water and shivered.
“I am surprised to still see you here.”
I looked up to find Phaedra standing on the opposite bank. “I could say the same for you.” I smiled.
“Yes, well, I wanted to make sure that you truly did follow your heart.”
“If you mean did I realize the stone was meant for my future daughter, then yes, I did.” I stood. “It called to me from the first time I touched it, and being a rose quartz, it is no surprise the message was buried deep within my heart. I am not sure how or when it will happen, but I now know not to close myself off to future love. Thank you for that.”
Phaedra dipped her eternally sullen head. “You are most welcome. I hope you find what so many of us do not.” With tears in her eyes, she shot into the sky, fading again into the white fluffy clouds.
Returning to the teepee, I poured some of the crystal-clear mountain water into the cooking pans, then used the rest to clean up and prepare for the hard conversation ahead.
After a quick breakfast, all three of us placed blankets on the ground and sat cross-legged around the small fire Jeremiah had built in the center of the structure. An uncomfortable silence thickened the air.
“I guess I will start,” I began. “Before you ask, I have no idea how or why the crystal triggered the message for my daughter. I do not know who she is, or when she will be born, and have received no other information other than the words that came to me from the goddess.”
“Do you know how she will get the stone, since it’s currently resting at the bottom of the Great Falls pond?” Kenna asked.
“No, I do not. But I am sure other witches will occupy this village in the future and have no doubt that somehow, the stones will find their way to the surface again.”
Kenna nodded and winked at me. “Wow! A daughter.”
I lowered my head, smiling widely at the unexpected revelation as well.
“With that in mind, our future awaits, though I am not really sure how to approach this,” Jeremiah confessed. “This situation is new, and unlike our previous two journeys, we have to contemplate cutting our lives short on purpose.” He turned to face me directly. “Do you think this could affect how we travel to our next lifetime, or if by committing suicide, we risk ending our soul journeys here and now, leaving Karina to wander th
e centuries alone?” He asked the hard question I was sure none of us wanted to face.
I shifted nervously with my head still down and heard Kenna suck in and exhale a deep, exaggerated breath.
“Well, I suppose the first thing we discuss is whether we treat this as a human problem or a magical one,” Kenna suggested.
I looked up, my interest piqued. “What do you mean?”
“I mean,” she proceeded softly, “we could either take our lives in a multitude of ways like humans do, or we cast another spell that will do the job for us.”
Cringing at the thought of taking my own life in any way, I pushed to stand. Pacing helped relieve the nervous energy building inside.
“Personally, I do not know of many ways in which to—” I paused, not wanting to use the word associated with such an act. “—accomplish this task, but I would think we could probably make it as simple and painless as possible if we combined the two.”
I looked to Kenna and Jeremiah, who both shrugged, obviously unclear as to what I meant.
“For the human element, we could find some hemlock and grind it into our tea, and for the magical side, we can cast a spell that will speed up the process and carry us to our next journey as intended.”
“That sounds relatively easy, but again, do you know if by doing this, are we risking the end of our journeys altogether? Besides, does hemlock even grow this high up in the mountains?” Kenna shifted uncomfortably on the ground, scooting closer to the fire in her ragged cotton dress, pulling tight the thick fur covering wrapped around her shoulders. This entire topic brought a chill to the air.
I bent down to warm my hands, answering the second part of her question first. “Yes. While we were at the falls, I noticed some growing in the low-lying area around the far side of the pond.”