Tapestry of Worlds : Part One - The White Raven Awakens

by Hadley Thorne

  Felix grunted as he caught the t-shirt. Watching as he pulled off the pirate shirt, Erika stopped laughing. His body was covered in scars, but what a body it was. He was chiseled and toned, and when he turned, pulling the t-shirt down, his eyes caught hers. Blushing, she turned away but not before she saw the exchange between Millie and Hermit. They had witnessed her gawking at her supernatural bodyguard.

  "So," Millie started nervously, pretending she did not notice anything, "Hermit will stand in place for North, Erika for the East, Felix for the South, and I will stand in for the West. We will open and release the soul jars. Then we release the quarters. Easy peasy."

  "So, let's go," Hermit said with a clap of his hands. He went and helped Millie gather the candles and began placing them by the stones while she lit them.

  Erika stood there, a gentle breeze picking up and stirring her hair and the dress's folds. Felix walked to her then, "Thanks for the assist," he told her as he gently tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. Reaching out, he traced her face before he turned and followed Hermit and Millie's steps to the circle. Erika felt his touch on her face long after he left, searing into her flesh, and fanning her fire.

  The grove seemed to suddenly be cast in shadow as clouds moved to hide the sun. Looking up, Erika saw that a storm was on the horizon. "Guys, we better hurry - looks like the rain is moving in," she called out. The sound of engines and tires on gravel caught her attention, and she stopped what she was doing to turn and see a Ford Expedition coming down the lane towards them. Everyone stopped what they were doing as the vehicle came to a halt and parked beside Erika's black Tahoe.

  Covering her eyes, Erika tried to make out who was driving. From what she could see, it was a group of teens. 'Probably looking for a place to drink beer and party,' she thought to herself. As the kids got out of the car, Felix and Hermit appeared at her side while Millie stayed where she was staring up at them curiously.

  "Hi guys," Hermit called out as the group got out of their vehicles. He walked towards the teens, speaking in a friendly, confident voice. "Hey guys, Can I help you? I am the caretaker here. This is private property".

  "Sup," the longhaired blonde boy who had been driving said with a nod as his friends stepped out of the vehicle. with rifles, which they quickly trained on Erika and her companions. "Brother Timothy sends his regards."

  "Well fuck," Erika muttered as she put her hands up. She did not know how they were going to get out of this mess. She looked at Felix, and he glowered at the teens. The wind was picking up now as the storm began to build up. Unarmed, Erika, Felix, and Hermit found themselves surrounded by the six teens. Not one of them had seemed to notice Millie. Yet.

  There were six of them in total, four males and two females. Erika guessed that their ages seemed to range between fifteen and seventeen years old. Despite the wind, Erika could hear the teens whispering amongst themselves. "I don't know about this. They don't seem like they are bad people," one of the girls was telling the others as she lowered her weapon. "Brittney, shut up," one of the boys whispered to the little brunette that Erika figured must be Brittney.

  "No, Gus, I am telling you, that creepy church guy is up to no good," the girl whispered back. "I mean, I like my beer and all, but Pastors don't go around giving teenagers beer and asking them to shoot up folks."

  Hermit moved closer towards the girl. His voice low and calm as he pointed to Erika, "You are right. Brother Timothy kidnapped her and tried to rape her."

  Seeing where Hermit was taking this, Felix spoke to the others, "He actually had me kidnap her for him, telling me she was his ex, that she was off her medication and he loved her and wanted to get her back. Like you guys, I helped him, but I helped her escape when I saw the truth of what was going on."

  Some kids nodded their heads now, "Yeah, man, that is what he told us." But the blonde boy aimed his gun at Felix, "So you are the guy he said betrayed him?"

  Felix growled, "Betrayed him? No, I took what I was owed for services rendered."

  Erika called out, "Anything Tim told you is a lie." She moved towards the kids, making eye contact with the girl Brittney, "Tim stalked me before all this craziness happened. He wouldn't leave me alone even though I already have a boyfriend." She looked pleadingly at the girl then, "You are a pretty girl - I know you know what it is like when some guy won't take no for an answer. Well, this guy, Tim. He tried to make me think I was the crazy one. He tried to convince me that he knew me better than I knew myself. Now he is lying about me to good people like you guys to bring me back to him so he can punish me." The fear in her eyes was real as she thought about what Preach would do to her now that she had escaped.

  "Lady," the kid named Gus spoke, raising his pistol at Felix, "I don't care what that dude did to you or what he had planned. I just want the money he is going to pay me." He shot Felix then. The two girls screamed, and at that time, Millie rode into the group driving the small herd of horses into the moment.

  Erika ran to Felix, while Hermit used the moment's chaos to get the pistol and shotgun out of the Tahoe.

  Hands shaking, Erika tried to find something to apply pressure to the wound in Felix's shoulder. She bit back the bile that threatened to come up at the sight of so much blood but did her best to maintain her composure. Tearing the white gauze of her skirt, she pressed it to his wound and did her best to help him to his feet amidst the chaos of the horses. The kids were now firing wildly at everything, but now Hermit was shooting back, providing cover as the pair made their way to the Tahoe. Taking the shotgun, Erika was racking one into the chamber as the kids dove into their ride and made haste off the property. She got one good shot off and busted out the back glass as they sped off. Putting the shotgun down she went to get the trauma kit Ransom had stored in the SUV. Once she got the blood cleaned up, she found that the bullet had just grazed his shoulder. "You are lucky that kid didn't know how to aim," she told him breathlessly as she bandaged him up.

  "Not as lucky as we are, we got Millie. Come here and give me a hug!” Hermit complemented, helping Millie as she dismounted from her horse. Rain had started to fall, and the white saree she was wearing over her shorts and sports bra was looking ridiculous. She took the soggy material off and slapped it on the back seat of the SUV.

  "Someone has to watch your backs, you and Erika together attract trouble,” Millie told them. “Let’s get busy. We got a short window of time to do this.”

  "But Felix got shot,” Erika pointed out, concerned as to what to do next.

  "I am fine," Felix told her as he took the remains of the shirt off. "Let us get this over with and get out of here. They could be calling Brother Timothy and telling him where we are right now."

  "Good point," Hermit said, standing up straighter. Millie handed Erika the soul jars, and the four immediately walked down to the circle. As they entered, Erika noticed that the hum of the energy sounded like a radio station off frequency until she, Felix, Millie, and lastly, Hermit came to stand at the quarters. Millie came forth, 'Ancient Ones, Apologies for not releasing you sooner. As you know, shit got real. Anyway, we four are going to open these soul jars and bid you adieu."

  Erika and Millie looked at one another and began to count down, "3…...2…...1." And together with Hermit and Felix, they began to break the seals on the jars. In a burst of shimmering shadow and gold dust Becca’s falcon Sky Hunter, the vulture Nerrisa and a black and crimson hummingbird flew off to find their human counterparts, as the large shadow of Z’s timber wolf Bloodflame loped off into the wood line.

  Erika took a step back as Amaya burst forth from the jar, leaving a sparkling shadow and liquid flame trail. The raven flew up into the sky with the others but instead of flying off, made a circle, and flew back to perch on Erika's shoulder. Simultaneously, a puma kitten emerged with a great pounce and landed at Millie's feet.

  Millie squealed, "Alva," picking the puma kitten up and hugging it. The puma's loud purrs vibrated throughout the grove.

  The
circle was alive, and the hum was more intense now. The wind and rain were held at bay by a bubble of energy that you could almost visibly see. It was like looking at something through a thin layer of plastic to the naked eye, but the circle was there, and it was alive with magic shifted back into place by the four young people taking their places. Outside of the circle, there was a growing intensity to the storm, and Hermit looked concerned.

  "Remember your words," he told them in an effort to bring their focus back to center. "Go Gentle now Ancient Ones, Beloved Ancestors who guard the North. Forgive the folly done within this circle and help strengthen our attempt to right those wrongs. Stay if you wish, go if you must, but know that you are forever welcome in our hearts."

  Millie, Erika, and Felix repeated, "Stay if you wish, go if you must, but know that you are forever welcome in our hearts."

  A great horned owl appeared from the stone before which Hermit stood, causing him to duck as it swooped out into the storm surrounding them. The energy bubble went from being solid to allowing a fine mist within.

  Millie opened her arms to the sky, the puma at her feet, "Go Gentle into the West Beloved Mother Jaguar, forgive those of us who were tricked into being part of this circle and should you wish, give us your blessings as we seek justice. Stay if you wish, go if you must, but know that you are forever welcome in our hearts in perfect love and trust."

  "Stay if you wish, go if you must, but know that you are forever welcome in our hearts," they said together when a black shadow jaguar slipped out from the standing stone. It stopped to nuzzle the puma cub before slipping off into the woods and disappearing into the shadows.

  The rain began to fall harder within the circle as the attention shifted to Felix, "Fire Serpent known as Fire Finn, South Watcher depart in peace and know justice will be sought from those responsible for wasting your time. Stay if you wish, go if you must, but we understand if you leave." Lightning struck the stone behind him, shooting sparks forth. The sparks gathered and formed a great serpent the size of a log. It turned to look at Felix, hissing before slithering off in a fiery trail soon extinguished by the rain.

  Grounding herself into the earth, Erika lifted her arms to the heavens, "Hawk, Great Hunter of the East, take rest and depart this circle but know that the misrepresentation with which you were summoned will be avenged. Soar on the summer winds to your home in the East but know you are always welcome with the kindred who bid you part."

  A great rumbling was heard as the stone behind Erika vibrated and a great hawk took flight, it soared overhead as the rain came crashing down when the last bit of the circle was released. The great bird flew back and eyed each of the four with curiosity. As it flew to the heavens, the storm clouds broke, and the sun came crashing down. The grove looked ethereal as the rain dripped from the tree branches and rays of sunlight shone through the illuminating the forest.

  Erika marveled at the beauty of it all while Amaya soared and preened her feathers from the rain. Meanwhile, Millie's little puma shook her paws off, irritated with the wetness. She wanted to take the time to marvel at the wonder of what just happened, but she knew they still had a lot to do before the sunset.

  With that in mind, Erika pitched Felix the keys to the Tahoe, "Let's break this stone circle and get the hell out of dodge."

  With one hand, he snatched the keys out of the air and jogged off to the Tahoe as she and Millie put the jars in the tablecloth. Wrapping them up tightly, Millie took a rock and smashed them while Hermit dug a hole.

  "Should we say anything?" Erika asked Millie as they put the jars in the hole.

  "Good question," Millie said, looking down at the bundle. "But no." The two took the shovel and quickly buried the jars.

  When Felix came down with the truck, Erika and Hermit pulled the cable from the winch to fasten to the ash tree's standing stone. The Tahoe spun tires as it tried to pull the stone from its spot. Seeing it was not getting traction, Hermit moved behind the rock to apply some additional weight. Seeing they were getting nowhere fast, Erika joined him and then Millie.

  Wiping the sweat from her brow, Millie finally asked, "You sure we got time to do this today? I thought we were worried those kids might come back with Preach."

  Grunting, Erika replied, "We need to break the stone circle to put a stop to the Black Queen's plan, and we need to do it while we are here, so we don't have to come back."

  "What about Preach," Millie asked, looking skeptical.

  "Preach is never going to stop coming for me. I have to stay prepared until I can get him," she responded through gritted teeth. Her anger flared, and with that, the stone gave a mighty sigh and fell over.

  There was a loud thud as the stone crashed to the ground, followed by a sound like Thunder as it fell. The sound echoed throughout the grove and out onto the river. A shattering silence followed it, and for a moment, it felt as though time had folded in on itself. Felix got out of the SUV, popping the hood to check the engine when the Tahoe's engine turned off. He did not seem to notice, but even the cicadas had stopped.

  Erika felt a sudden chill in the summer air that made the hair on the back of her neck stand up. Next to her, Millie looked around wild-eyed, clutching Hermit's hand while he scanned the woods across the river. Something felt different, but she could not put her finger on it. It was as though there was a large atmospheric shift.

  "Erika," Felix's voice broke through the silence, "We have a problem."

  Chapter 36

  It felt like she was moving through molasses as she moved to Felix's side as he looked at the engine of the Tahoe. "What's up?" she asked, brushing against him.

  "Your truck's engine is dead," he told her softly. "Is there another vehicle on the property we can take back to Miss Eliza and Mr. Bill's place?"

  "Why are you whispering," she asked quietly as she pushed her hair back from her eyes.

  "I don't want to alarm anyone, but I think it is possible, the Black Queen just shut down the grid."

  The four tried all the remaining vehicles at the farmhouse, but they were dead like Erika’s truck. Besides, the power to the farm and barn were off, cell service was down, and the house was on well water, so there was no way to check the water. They did notice that there was no background noise other than mother nature. While they did not know if Felix was right or not, they all agreed they needed to get back to the James’ ranch as soon as possible. If the grid had gone down, it was as good a place as any to shelter in place until Ransom, Z, and Becca arrived. So, Felix and Hermit worked together to round up the remaining horses - a few adopted mustangs and mules, and the two women gathered what was left of supplies for their trip.

  The Mississippi weather was seasonally hot and humid, but after the rain showers, it was incredibly muggy. Everyone was covered in grime and sweat, but luckily the girls had been able to go through Jewel’s closet for some riding gear rather than the dresses and shorts they had. Jewel was an accomplished equestrian, and her English riding breeches were top of the line, but both she and Millie were larger than Jewel’s wispy figure and found the breeches a little tight on their curvier frames. The material breathed and was flexible but still, it was not like wearing your own. Thanks to Ransom insisting that she keep extra footwear in her vehicle Erika at least had her boots. She was counting her blessings for that after watching Millie try and pull on a pair of Jewel’s riding boots over her well-developed calves. Erika was pretty sure there was nothing worse than uncomfortable feet and wet underwear. After discussing what would blend into the landscape, Erika had opted for some sage green pants with a matching short-sleeve shirt, and Millie was wearing black with what appeared to be black leather patches and a white shirt. Hermit had some long-sleeve camo shirts they could layer up with, and they thought it best not to wear anything light since they would be traveling in the dark, and no one knew what to expect waiting for them once they got on the road.

  When they returned to the guys, they found Hermit in some of his turkey hunting camo and
boots. Despite the fact, Felix was more muscled than Hermit the two men were roughly the same size so that they could piece something together for him through Hermit’s and Papa Doc’s wardrobe. He was currently wearing a plain navy T-shirt with one of the professor’s dark plaid shirts and Hermit’s dark denim blue jeans.

  “I found some bolt cutters in the tractor, and these,” Hermit told them, tossing some headlamps their way. “There were only three of them, so someone will have to go without.”

  Felix handed one apiece to the girls, he said, “I see better in the dark.”

  “I am worried the horses aren’t conditioned for this,” Millie complained. “Are you sure there is no way we can get a car running?”

  Erika shot Millie a warning look, “Millie, these are mustangs and mules, they will be fine. And we are riding after dark.” She pointed to a trek she had highlighted on the map, “If we can follow the main road up to here, we can ride this fire lane to the gas line. Then when the gas line turns, we just go as the crow flies and cut through farmland and hunting leases until we make it to this fire lane here. That should take us to the Sunken Trace and the back way to the James’ ranch. I think we can probably shave a good couple of hours off the ride than if we followed the main roads.”

  Hermit and Felix bent over the map. “Legit. It seems like a good plan, E,” Hermit told her with a pat on the back.

  “Not to mention, if Preach is coming back with his minions, they are probably broken down on the interstate if what Felix says happened went down,” Millie added as she fanned herself with a magazine.

  “If Brother Tim…. Preach is coming; they will have been prepared. I expect them to be mobile. Either in older cars without computer chips or having stored their rides in a protected space like a faraday cage,” Felix told them. “We cannot count on him being taken out by this.” Turning to Hermit, he asked, “Are you sure you do not have any other firearms or weapons?”