It was a rite of passage for me. At the same time, he told me, it was important for me to meet the Elders. “You never know when you might need their assistance or advice, Lilly,” he had said, almost in warning.
Of course, there was also the matter of my missing father and the Elders might be able to offer some insight as to what had happened to him and where he might be.
Gabriel explained that it would likely be a difficult trip to take and that it involved a lot of hiking through the mountains and forest trails. But, like him, it had to be taken in human form. I couldn't change into a mountain lion for ease of passage, he had warned me.
“In order for you to grow, truly grow as a young woman, you need to complete the journey as one,” he had added.
I knew I was ready, physically and mentally. I was also ready to learn more about the Elders and he told me he would enlighten me during our journey.
Gabriel had gained approval from the school to take me away for a while, with the simple agreement that I would take some extra classes during the summer holidays.
When I asked Ben if it was okay for me to take some time off work to go away with Gabriel, he had agreed that I could use a break. He was aware that I had never been on holiday before. But he'd no idea about the true purpose of this trip.
We had packed as if for a camping trip. Our backpacks filled with all the gear that we would need on our journey. The first part of our trip would take place by boat. It was a very small boat too – with just sufficient space for the two of us and all of our gear. Having no idea where we were going, this little boat surprised me. It frightened me too. The only other boat I had ever been on was the ferry with Ben when he had collected me from the airport. This was seriously tiny in comparison and I certainly didn't feel safe. But Gabriel's soft voice and his kind words helped me feel at ease after a few hours on the water. At least it had a small motor so we didn't have to row.
It wasn't until we were gliding quietly through the water did Gabriel begin telling me about the Elders. And from what he explained, they were not quite what I was expecting.
“The Elders live high in the Coastal Mountains, hidden from all eyes other than those they want to see. They are not all human, Lilly. Many of them are changelings, like you. Some are vampires, some are white witches. There are some creatures there that might even frighten you. But you must not be fearful. All of them are good and honest. They are very wise and they help people like you and me who know the truth about their world. You could say that they are authority figures for our kind. Somewhere we can go for help should we really need it,” he said and I nodded a little nervously.
I took a little time to let the information sink in. We were on a long and arduous journey to meet with vampires and witches? It sounded crazy but I knew that Gabriel knew what he was doing.
“Are they all really old then, Gabriel?” I asked wondering why they were known as the Elders.
“Many are very old, yes, although they will not appear to be old to us. The vampires, for instance, are immortal. They appear to be young and beautiful, when in fact they have been in existence for many hundreds of years. Some of the witches are the same. But those of them that are like you, half human, half animal, they look old because they are old. But they all have something in common. They are the Elders and they are called the Elders because they are full of wisdom and knowledge about almost everything,” he answered.
“How did they become the Elders?”
He smiled then and told me that he had been invited to join them, but only when he feels ready. This surprised me. I was not quite sure why it should shock me so much because Gabriel was a wise and honest man, full of advice for anyone that asks for it. A pillar of the community. But I was shocked nonetheless. And worried. It's a long way from his family. A long way from me. And when would he decide to join them? I hoped that it would not be for a long time to come.
But Gabriel continued to answer my question, not concerning himself with the worried look on my face, “All of the Elders are beings that have been strong and reliable members of their own communities who want to help on a larger scale. They are a kind of authority for people like us. They make rules we must follow, just like our own governments do. There is a large number of groups of Elders found throughout the world. All living in well hidden communes, like the one we're going to visit in the mountains.”
I listened intently and wondered what kind of 'people' they would be, and how many of them would be there. But the thing that really caught my attention was the fact that they make rules that must be followed by the likes of me – anyone that is not entirely human. The only rule I knew of at that point was the fact that we needed to keep our true selves a secret from the rest of the world. Cringing at the memory, I recalled how I'd already broken that secret when I'd accidentally revealed my true form to Oliver all those weeks before. I was lucky though that he'd agreed with Gabriel that he would continue to turn a blind eye to the truth. Knowing Oliver well, I knew he would stay true to his word and not utter a thing about us to anyone.
We continued to motor along the calm waters in silence for a while, myself deep in thought about the rules and the Elders while Gabriel contentedly hummed to himself. Looking down into the depths of the river below, I was surprised how clear the water was. Although inviting because of its clarity, it looked icy cold and I wasn't in the least bit tempted to jump in. Our boat made large ripples behind us as we chugged along, and I watched for a while as it mesmerised me, taking my mind off what was to come.
Looking up from the water, I noticed a number of small green islands around us. I assumed they were uninhabited but I was probably wrong. Knowing what I knew then, I changed my mind and decided they were probably full of vampires and werewolves, all waiting for fresh blood and meat to feast on. The thought made me shiver, and I decided I needed to cut down on the horror I'd been watching and reading lately. Gabriel watched me and asked what I was thinking about.
Grinning, I told him that I wondered who, or what, lived on the islands surrounding us. I didn't expect him to know the answer but he did. I should have known. He usually had answers to everything.
“Only a few of them are inhabited full time,” he said, “most are used on the odd occasion by passers by like us. But there are a few islands that have small communities of special creatures,” he added, “who would prefer that we avoided them entirely.”
“Why would they want us to avoid them?”
“These creatures do not want to be tempted by what they shouldn't have, which is why they live far from civilisation.”
I noticed that he neglected to say what kind of creatures they were and I decided I didn't want to know... at least until we had passed through and were well clear of them.
Changing the subject, I asked Gabriel why we were doing this journey by boat and on foot. “Isn't it possible to reach the mountains by car?”
He laughed then and reiterated what he had said before. The journey itself was a learning experience. Something that was an important part of my becoming a woman of strength. Not just physically, but psychologically too. I thought about those words for a moment while Gabriel watched me intently. “And besides,” he added, “you'd never get a car up there,” he chuckled.
I didn't have an answer to that so we sat in silence for the rest of the boat ride. The corners of his mouth twitched slightly, as if he was trying hard not to smile.
Fortunately we reached the shore a short while later and Gabriel took off his shoes and socks and hopped out to pull the boat safely out of the water. I jumped onto the sandy beach and helped pull it further inland, where he carefully tied it to a large tree trunk before drying his wet feet and putting his shoes and socks back on before he caught a chill. He seemed to know exactly where things were and so I asked how many times he had made this journey before.
“Many, many times,” he said, “whenever I need to get away I come through here on my way to the Elders. I came a lot after your mother a
nd Neleh died and when your father and you were taken away. The Elders knew it was the one place I found some peace. But, like I said, it's not just the destination where I found peace. It was the journey too.”
It was certainly peaceful and I could imagine how it would calm the soul after those awful things had happened.
After we'd had something to eat, the two of us set off on foot, leaving the boat and the river behind us. I was a little nervous about the hike – it was my first, after all. But I was grateful for all the exercise I had been getting with Sammy. It had made me fitter and stronger and ready for whatever the world had in store for me.
I thought of Sammy and what the world had in store for him too. He could never be a part of the world he had lived in all those years ago. As long as he had those massive wings, he would have to remain in hiding. It was a sad fact that made me heavy hearted. As far as I knew, the only way he could have his life back again was if we found Vivian and somehow reverted the curse she had placed on him. I had high hopes for these Elders.
Later that night after much walking, we had set up camp, built a small fire and ate supper, when Gabriel surprised me with another talent I knew nothing about. He carefully took out a small musical instrument from his rucksack and began to play the most beautiful tune I'd heard since my first arrival in Powell River when I'd heard that Portuguese song that had led me to Rose.
The instrument looked like a kind of flute and I was so shocked when he carefully put it to his lips and played it so beautifully, especially considering he'd never played it in my presence before.
Lying down by the fire and snuggling into my sleeping bag, I stared up at the night sky and listened intently to the lovely music. Even though it was quite chilly, I felt completely peaceful and comfortable. It was a magical feeling, lying there, listening to him playing and watching the sky filled with the brightest of stars. I enjoyed the moment, keeping very quiet until he had finished.
“That was beautiful Gabriel. How come you never play at home?” I asked, sitting up and leaning on my elbows as I looked across the softly burning fire towards him.
“It's something I only do when I come out here,” he said, before he continued to play some more. The music, combined with the gentle sound of the running water from a little stream nearby, gently lulled me to sleep.
Surprisingly I slept remarkably well that night. I had thought that the cold would prevent me from getting a good night's sleep, but the fresh air must have counteracted it. I awoke feeling fresher and more alive than ever before.
Climbing out of my warm cosy sleeping bag, I noticed Gabriel had already packed up his sleeping bag but he was nowhere to be seen. All his things were still there, though.
“Gabriel,” I called out and waited for a reply, but none came.
Again, I yelled his name even louder and hoped that he just hadn't heard me the first time. But nothing. I decided to sit and wait for a while, hoping that he had just gone for a brief walk while I slept.
It didn't take long for my mind to begin running riot with terrifying possibilities. Vampires, werewolves, witches, bears. Had any of these creatures taken my grandfather? I could feel my body twitching, wanting to change. I knew that my senses would be a hundred times more in tune with the nature surrounding me as a lion. If I changed, I might be able to find the creatures that had taken him. But he had told me this journey was one that must be taken in human form, regardless of what happened.
So I stood still and breathed deeply, just as Rose had shown me. I had to keep calm and relax.
“Ah... you're awake,” yelled a cheery voice and my entire body slumped forward in relief.
“Gabriel... I called you but you didn't reply. I thought something had happened to you.”
“You seem to forget that I am becoming an old man. My ears aren't quite as good as they were when I was your age,” he laughed, “I was just washing my face in the stream,” he added.
Since discovering the truth about myself, I had become more of a worrier. I decided it was something I needed to work on as we both sat down and enjoyed a nice cup of tea.
“We have a long and arduous hike ahead of us today, Lilly. It's important that we stay focused,” he said, adding “but if something should happen, remember what I told you. This is a journey to be made in human form. You are not to transform yourself, except only in the most dire of circumstances.”
I agreed, wondering why it was so important, but I didn't ask. I was too busy thinking what 'the most dire of circumstances' could be. A niggling little doubt crept into my mind, that something awful was going to happen.
On the other hand, it could be a test. Could Gabriel be testing me? Was this some kind of ritual that all changelings had to go through? I hoped it was, at least then I didn't have to worry about a nasty experience awaiting us. Did I?
CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
After we had eaten a good, hearty breakfast and set off on foot, we spent the majority of that day hiking through forests until eventually the terrain began to change and the trees became a little scarcer. It was the beginning of the ascent towards the mountains. Although I loved being among the forested areas, I enjoyed the change of scenery and the mountainous region was absolutely breathtaking.
Gabriel and I spoke about all kinds of things as we walked together, him always in front, leading the way. He wanted to know more about my life in London, not that there was an awful lot to tell. He already knew what living there had been like for me, mostly lonely and uneventful.
But still, he wanted to know what my school had been like, whether or not I had ever had any friends, if the teachers had been fond of me – everything.
“December Moon was my best and only friend,” I had told him. “My life was incredibly dull until she arrived.” I smiled as I thought about the eccentric girl with the red hair that had brought some sunshine into my otherwise dark life.
I told Gabriel all about her and her own strange, unhappy life.
“Perhaps we could arrange for her to come and visit some time,” he had suggested.
“Oh Gabriel, that would be wonderful. I'd love it for you all to meet her. I just know that everyone would love her. She would just fit in with us all here, if you know what I mean?” I laughed.
Gabriel nodded and smiled at me and I was suddenly reminded of my father. I don't know what it was, perhaps an odd expression that Gabriel shared with him. I felt a sudden pang in the pit of my stomach and I had to stop walking for a moment.
“Are you alright, my dear,” he asked as he pulled out a bottle of water and handed it to me.
Taking a deep drink, I nodded. “Yes, I'm fine. You just reminded me of father.” He nodded too and smiled sadly, “We will find him, Lilly. If the search takes me to the grave, we will find him,” he said sombrely.
I gulped another swig of water and then attempted a smile. That was not a thought I would cherish. The search sending Gabriel to his grave, or the search taking that long.
My heart began to feel like it was breaking just a little bit more and Gabriel obviously sensed it so he changed the subject again.
He began to tell me about his long and eventful life in Powell River and I learned even more about my family. The heaviness in my heart was lifted and I became intrigued, as we continued our long walk.
Perhaps this was another reason for our journey. We could finally talk honestly together, just the two of us. It was a wonderful feeling and I began to feel even closer to my grandfather.
He talked more about his wife, Elsebeth, who had died of breast cancer when she was just 31. It had been a very aggressive form of cancer and she'd had little time between her diagnosis and her death, “but she was happy that she had the chance to say goodbye to everyone that she loved,” he said.
“I'm sorry Gabriel. It must have been heartbreaking to see her like that. How long ago did she die?” I asked.
“She's been gone about 30 years, but never forgotten,” he added, smiling. “She was a remarkable woman
. Not unlike Rose, actually. They were good friends.”
“You and Rose are very close,” I replied and he laughed, nodding,
“Elsebeth made us promise that we would be there for each other. She wanted Rose to take her place. She felt that I needed a wife and Rose was the person she nominated,” he chuckled, “but Rose and I are, and have always been, just very good friends. I have managed on my own but Rose is always there when I need her, and vice versa.”
I agreed that he and Rose would make a great couple, but understood perfectly that some people are better off living alone – well, kind of alone. After my father disappeared, Gabriel raised Oliver and Ben and now he had Sammy and me living with him.
“Gabriel?” I said.
“Mm?”
“I'm sorry about Oliver. I'm sorry that I made him go away. I know that he is like a son to you.”
Gabriel stopped walking and turned to me, “Don't apologise for being who you are Lilly. It is not your fault that it happened the way it did. Oliver is a fine young man now, he can look after himself and I know he'll be okay. Like I said to you before, I am a strong believer in fate. What is meant to be, will be, so don't blame yourself” he said, “he'll be fine. And so will we.”
We continued walking uphill in silence, until the terrain started to become a little more rugged. Gabriel pointed to an area where there were a few more trees and told me that was where we would stop for the night. As we approached, myself a little breathless, I noticed a small cave, the entrance of which was well hidden by foliage.
“This is where I usually stop and sleep,” he said as we exhaustedly let our backpacks drop to the ground. I slumped down on a nearby rock until my breathing became slower and steadier, watching as Gabriel began collecting sticks and twigs and larger pieces of wood to create a fire.
When Darkness Falls - Six Paranormal Novels in One Boxed Set Page 127