Tomorrows Child

by Starr West

  “A dragon?” chimed all three of us, shaking our heads with scepticism and astonishment. The creature coughed out one last enormous cloud of thick, white smoke.

  “This can’t be!”

  “How is this possible?”

  “You must be kidding! This is a joke.” We all spluttered words of disbelief, unable to grasp what riveted all of our eyes.

  “There’s no doubt now, the veil has truly failed,” said Libby. “This means our time is far shorter than we ever expected.”

  Phoenix just shook his head and looked confused.

  “Pepper,” I said.

  “What?”

  “Pepper, we should call him Pepper. You know like hot, but not fiery. If he starts shooting out flames, I can change his name… to Chilli.” I was quite pleased with myself but the humour didn’t seem to be received as well as I expected.

  “You can’t keep him. He’s a baby and probably just practising.”

  “We don’t know that it’s a baby. Maybe he’s deformed and that’s as good as it’s going to get.” I felt sorry for the little deformed dragon. “That’s probably how he got injured in the forest. Some big, mean, fire-breathing dragon attacked him, and those injuries are probably burns.”

  Nobody spoke and I processed the words that had tumbled, thoughtlessly from my mouth.

  “Holy crap, there’s another one!” Send in Merlin! I’d be happier to meet a weird, elderly wizard than take part in a battle with fire-breathing dragons.

  I saw a flash of fear in Libby’s eyes, while Phoenix just looked bewildered. Each day something new presented itself that made me think the world had gone mad. Now, sitting on the floor at my feet was proof that things were very wrong. Everything had changed, but in more ways than the obvious. There were no supermarkets, no schools and no ham, but we did have dragons.

  Chapter 12 ~ ACCEPTING TRUTH

  Sleep is a gift to those who suffer. For me, sleep had been my best friend for these past few months and an escape from the grief and dread of facing another day. It wasn’t grief I faced today, it was something different. But I wished that sleep would return and help me to escape the inevitable suffering this day was sure to bring.

  Inevitable, because I’d asked for it and I knew that both Libby and Phoenix would be more than happy to deliver. The problem was I’d had so much sleep lately that my body didn’t need any more. The harder I tried to sleep, the more difficult it became. I was awake now, in the very early hours of the morning, well before dawn, pleading for sleep to return. Begging for sleep was stupid, not a real solution anyway, but the best I could come up with other than running away.

  Change was what I faced today, but change was unpredictable and its results erratic. My deepest wish was to avoid change and the suffering it was bound to bring. When I agreed to learn magick, I didn’t consider the changes to my life or the decisions I would be forced to make. Nevertheless, today I had to choose to accept the magick and embrace it, or move on. Libby thought I would choose to move on and leave the magick behind.

  The truth always carries with it responsibilities; and while I hate anything coated in lies, I wondered if I was really ready for the truth. Even though I needed to know how I fitted into the prophecy, I was beginning to fear what it meant to me.

  Phoenix and Libby had a plan, which should have satisfied me and convinced me to participate in the family’s legacy. They knew that I hated surprises, or at least ones that involved me, and I didn’t know why I was so angry or behaving so erratically when it came to magick and me. Each time I stormed off, I was just as surprised as those I left behind, although they seemed to be getting used to it.

  Pepper was allowed to stay in the house, at least until he started breathing fire. I didn’t think that would ever happen, but Libby wasn’t so certain, so we made a deal. At the first breath of fire, Phoenix would take him to a safe place near Misty Falls. I agreed in principle.

  Pepper was an early riser too and had already overturned everything on the floor in my room, looking for bugs and other potential sources of food. I dressed quickly and carried him out into the yard before he caused any permanent destruction. I watched him shuffle under the leafy mulch and dig little holes with his nose. Pepper ate everything that was offered to him. So far, he had eaten chunks of fruit and vegetables and was constantly searching for and eating bugs. He was recovering well.

  “I told you he was a baby. Only babies need to consume as much food as they can while they’re awake,” Libby said as she stood in the doorway, “and as long as there’s no flames, I’m happy to have the little fella here.”

  “Do you think dragons are born with fire breath or do get it as they mature?” I thought they might have it from birth, like a snake has venom, but dragons were a new discovery to all of us and there was no way for any of us to know.

  “I have no idea, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.” Libby left us so Pepper could finish his buggy breakfast. Thankfully, there would be no insects on my menu because Libby had soaked the pot of porridge overnight, like she always did. When the weather turned, as it had already, she put the oats and water in a large pot on the back of the slow combustion stove. By morning, the cast iron pot was full of steamy, hot porridge.

  Milk and honey, essential additions to porridge, were just two of the perks of living in an organised community. Lachlan and Basil had a dozen beehives and kept the honey flowing, while Trinity and Seth tended the dairy cows, and delivered milk each morning. Normally, one of the children delivered the milk, but this morning it was Trinity. Her cart bounced along the path and the cream cans clanged and rattled over the bumpy path.

  “Hi, Trinity. Did Seth and the kids ditch you and make you do all the work today?” I asked when I spotted her. Trinity smelt like a dairy so I knew she’d milked the cows before delivering the milk.

  “They’re all sick. Damned storm blew the flu up the mountain. Even Seth is sick,” Trinity answered. She pulled the cart up to the doorway and manhandled one of the four cream cans. “You can have extra milk today. I’m done making butter and cheese and treating sick kids,” she said. The wooden cart had huge rubber wheels and a long pull handle, identical to the sort little boys tow around, only much bigger. Leaving us with an entire cream can would lighten her load, but create extra work for us.

  “Do you need a hand? I’ll ask Libby if she can spare me for a few hours.” Libby stood in the door shaking her head.

  “Sorry, Psyche. You can’t wriggle out of your own responsibilities that easily.”

  “It’s not that, I just thought I should offer to help. I don’t really contribute and this would be a good opportunity to learn something new.” It was actually part of my avoidance tactics, but I wasn’t about to admit that to Libby.

  “Navarre and Reuben are coming over after breakfast and I’ve had a few other offers. But I don’t want this flu spreading around.” Trinity didn’t look that well herself and refused our invitation for breakfast, afraid she would spread the sickness.

  “I’ll prepare something and send it over with Navarre,” Libby offered after Trinity provided us with a list of symptoms. Libby went to the herb garden with her sickle and a cane basket and Trinity headed off, tugging along her milk wagon. I was left with Pepper and the smell of cooked oats and litres of milk to deal with.

  “Come on Pepper; let’s see if oats are on your menu.” I clapped my hands to gain the little dragon’s attention. Pepper was far more like a puppy than a dragon and raced towards the house, arriving before I did. I filled two bowls with steaming porridge, a drizzle of honey and a load of milk, ever grateful for our early morning milk deliveries.

  I was only halfway through my breakfast when Libby returned. Pepper had gobbled down his bowlful, complete with milk and honey, and was settling on the lounge for a nap. Libby frowned, but said nothing.

  “Let’s hope he doesn’t grow too big,” she said. In my mind, I could imagine an enormous full-grown dragon, coughing smoke and pushing his way thro
ugh the doorway so he could curl up by the fire, wagging his tail like an overgrown puppy. I hoped it was only a daydream!

  “You may not want to learn about magick, but you do need to learn about the healing properties of herbs. If you want to make yourself useful, you should come with me today and observe. You never know, it could save someone’s life one day.”

  Herbs covered the bench and made the room smell fresh and alive. It wasn’t difficult to appear interested because herbs fascinated me, especially the medicinal ones. Mysterious and out of bounds, I couldn’t resist a mystery. The thought of that played in my mind… If I loved mysteries so much, why did I hate secrets? What was different? Secrets and mysteries are much the same, aren’t they?

  Libby began by asking me to identify the herbs I knew. “This is peppermint,” I said, “I could smell it from across the room. This looks like tea-tree, but that’s not an herb, is it?”

  “Tea-tree saved Australia’s early settlers and is very good for colds and flu, since it has both antiviral and antibiotic properties. Steaming the leaves will release the oils into the air and help heal the lungs. Do you recognise any others?”

  I admitted that was all I could identify, but Libby was not entirely surprised, the remainder of the herbs weren’t any I’d heard of before.

  “Elderflower, yarrow, ginger and peppermint are great for colds of all types. Bergamot, hyssop, mullein and St John’s wort are all useful when we are not sure what we’re dealing with. Generally, they are all helpful for colds, flus and fevers.” Libby explained, “I like to mix at least four herbs and no more than six in any remedy. Simple remedies assimilate better in the body. The others can be used in a steam pot; the steam will filter through the house and heal the lungs. ”

  I took a sample of each and pressed them for identification. Only as instructed, not because I was showing initiative.

  The herbs were then torn or chopped and placed in muslin bags, labelled and returned to the basket. A large bottle of yellow syrup and a jar containing a brew of honey, garlic and onion, Libby’s “cure-all” concoction, completed the basket of remedies. The yellow syrup was a special mix containing local bush fruits, berries and leaves. “Lemon aspen is the main ingredient in the syrup; it flowers and fruits early in the year. Phoenix usually keeps an eye out and lets me know when the fruits are ready. We dry half the harvest and boil the remainder into syrup,” Libby told me.

  Phoenix and Navarre arrived at the door. “Mum sent me over to pick up some stuff for Trinity.” Navarre held out his hand to receive the basket. I was no longer surprised that Tahinah knew to collect the medicine, but I was still amazed.

  Navarre was watching the expression on my face. He shook his head, “You’ll get used to this one day, Psyche. Mum knew that once Libby saw Trinity, her first job would be to get the herbs ready. Just hope you never get sick ‘cause they all taste like crap!” Phoenix whacked Navarre on the arm, either to stop him offending Libby or to prevent him swearing.

  “I know,” I said, “I had to drink litres of the stuff when Mum was sick… prevention.” The memory made my nose wrinkle and I shuddered at the idea of those poor kids having to drink the horrible liquid their mother was about to force down their throats.

  “And you never got sick!” Libby had a point. Navarre left, rubbing his arm and laughing to himself.

  I knew Phoenix was here to help Libby with their planned assault and was rather glad for the delay. Not that I was happy the kids were sick, just happy for a delay.

  “Is there anything you wish to take care of before we start?” Libby questioned as she motioned for Phoenix to sit at the table. It felt like the beginning of the inquisition, but I knew that no matter what I decided today, my life was in no danger, at least not from these two.

  “I guess not,” I tried to come up with something to create a delay, but my mind went suddenly blank.

  Libby began, “Phoenix and I have discussed the best way to approach this very sensitive subject, which will answer your questions and cause you the least distress.” She paused and took a deep breath, “I’m not sure that’s possible, though Phoenix believes you are far stronger than I give you credit for, and I guess he should know.” I figured she was talking about Phoenix sharing my dreams so I simply nodded.

  “None of it is as bad as you fear and you won’t be asked to do anything you’re not ready for. The universe doesn’t expect it and neither do we.” Libby continued, “So it is true… you are the ninth daughter, the prophecy does refer to you as the ninth, your mother as the eighth and I am the seventh daughter. The remainder of the prophecy is for you to receive. It’s your personal secret; whether or not you share, is up to you. I imagine it will depend on the nature of the prophecy. I expect it will come to you in a dream, but it could come in any number of ways. I received mine from my guides.” She paused then, giving me time to absorb this information. I said nothing.

  “Those closest to me are aware of my part in the prophecy because, in a way, it involves them. My role is to prepare a safe haven for the ninth daughter. My mother laid the foundation for this community and I built on it. When people began moving to the area, I couldn’t be sure if they could be trusted or if they too were involved, but certain events drew us together and led me to believe that they were also here to help.

  “Here. This is part of the prophecy I was given.” She turned her book around, “Times of trouble, times of strife, friends protect the daughter’s life.”

  “You must be kidding! That’s it!? That’s all you received? That’s what told you to do all this?” I waved my arms around, “This whole valley, every person working for survival is doing so because of these words?”

  “There were other things, the other daughters, Tahinah had a vision, and Phoenix arriving…” Libby stopped abruptly and Phoenix shook his head, “Well, everything just fit together.” Phoenix’s brow was furrowed and his eyes became dark. I felt instantly that they were still hiding something, but I wasn’t going to read anything into it, not yet, at least. I would file this away for later.

  “I couldn’t have provided for you on my own and I didn’t know we would lose Celeste so soon, but I believe that her help may be of a different kind. Much has changed in the world over the past few years.” Her voice faded for a moment, “Our friends only knew that you would come home and receive a sign that may assist in making things right. That’s why they say things like ‘about time’ or ‘they thought you’d never get here’. ‘We thought that perhaps you could help prevent what was happening in the world, but obviously, that’s not the case.”

  “How could anyone think that I could do anything to save the world? That’s crazy! You do realise how crazy that sounds?” I had invented all types of scenarios, but even my vivid imagination couldn’t conceive of this one.

  “I don’t know, perhaps some universal healer, I expect there are other kids just like you, many more, all over the world. I doubt that the universe expects one girl to correct the balance and heal the entire planet. On top of everything else, we now have the issues with the veil thinning. Although we expected this, the results have been surprising.”

  “So you think this is about the veil or do you know?”

  “We’re pretty sure it is all connected, what with the beast showing up first and now Pepper. I expect both are signs that the veil has been compromised. And since humans are the cause of the damage, we may be expected to fix it.

  “We have been seeing exceptional children arrive for years and many assumed they would be the ones who would change everything. Maybe by providing the energy the earth needed to heal or tipping the balance to create global awareness or something of that nature. I guess no one really knew.” She sighed as if she were exhausted by it all. “That’s why everyone was waiting for you. We all thought you were one of these children, even though no one had met you, they all believed you could change everything.”

  “Isn’t that a job for the big Kahuna?” I asked. Phoenix just laughed.


  “You would think so, but like I said, we all have a role to play because we all contributed to this mess in the first place. It’s not just about the veil either. It took us barely more than one hundred years to destroy Mother Earth. Humans continued to ignore all the signs and most of us didn’t change our lifestyles until we were forced to. Now we have no choice. It just seems logical.”

  “What do you feel… in your heart?” Phoenix spoke for the first time since sitting at the table. I had to think about this, I seldom explored how I really felt. I just acted as soon as the emotion hit and thought about it later.

  “It doesn’t feel wrong. It’s easier to believe anything now, I guess. Everything is gone and a dragon sleeps on our lounge. I guess I have to replace what I thought to be true with something new.” Seeking something new felt right, I just hadn’t decided what the “new” should be.

  “Phoenix’s role in all this needs to come from him.” Libby spoke directly to me and then turned to Phoenix, “If you’re ready, I’ll make tea, and you can explain those details to Psyche.”

  “I need to explain some other things first.” Phoenix paused for a long time and I thought he wasn’t going to continue, but eventually he began. “Before we are born as humans, we live behind the veil, not with creatures like the hellhounds or dragons like Pepper, but in a different place. It’s just called ‘home’ by most, but here on earth, it’s called all sorts of things like ‘the other side’, ‘heaven’, even ‘paradise’. Whatever it’s called, it’s all the same.” His voice was calm and he spoke in slow, deliberate sentences, to be certain I heard what he said and understood.

  “As spirits, we make the decision to be born and at that time, we decide on the purpose of our lives. Most people are obsessed with their purpose, but it’s seldom as simple as a single event or task. Sometimes, it consists of little things and we don’t think these little things amount to much, but that’s not true. We also come here to learn personal lessons and experience life in a way we can’t at home.” Phoenix paused and took a deep breath, “Are you right with this so far? Do you understand?”