Fear of Mystics (Saga of Mystics Book 2)

by Chris Walters

  The trio agreed to accompany them, and soon Erica had joined with some others and they began the long walk to Council Bluffs. Max tried to avoid anyone seeing her crush on Theo, but every time he would even glance her way, Max would blush and turn away. As they headed up the long road to the Bluffs, the twenty or so dogs who were with them had to show themselves and come out of the brush. Theo seemed fascinated and ended up spending time with her, hearing about the scope of her power. He didn’t seem afraid of it, which was refreshing. Maybe that is because he had never seen her kill.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  This was a larger council, and could not be held in the usual chamber. Instead, they held it outside and anyone was welcome to attend. Ted walked toward his daughter and her companions, nodding his head at Adam as he wrapped Max in a great big hug, lifting her off the ground.

  “Dad!” Max pushed away from the hug in a way that she never had before, almost as if she was embarrassed. Ted was reminded of the conversation he and Cal had about the same with Natalee all those years ago. Had the time come when it was no longer cool to hug your dad? Ted hoped not.

  He moved on to give the very pregnant Erica a hug and then turned toward the three strange men that were with them. “Hello. I am Ted Craven, Head of the Council. Who might you be?”

  “I might be many people, but for today I am Mickey Cobb, dressed for the moment as Robin Hood.” The bald man bowed and Ted immediately liked him.

  “Nice to meet you, Mickey, and welcome to the Bluffs.”

  “Let me introduce my little brother, Theo and my good friend, Brandon.” Mickey turned to each in turn, and Ted shook hands with each.

  “What brings you to the Bluffs?” Ted asked.

  “We just followed these folks…” Theo cut in.

  “Adventure, sir, adventure!” His brother interrupted him.

  Ted smiled. Mickey was clearly an entertainer, and excessively charming. He saw the way his daughter looked at the younger man, Theo, and realized why she had pushed away. She had a crush.

  “Well, we have a council meeting to greet some traveling groups. You might be interested in learning what they have to tell us. Perhaps you could tell us about your travels. There is food on the table over there,” Ted pointed to a table piled up with fresh produce. “Maxine, would you come sit by your dad for the meeting?”

  Max nodded and walked off to the bench at which Ted usually sat for larger meetings. Ted thanked the men again for coming and went to take his place. Rich’s group had still not returned, but they could wait no longer. Ted stood and the crowd grew quiet. Not having microphones any longer had quickly taught people to quiet down so everyone could hear.

  “Good afternoon, everyone. We will begin the large council hearing of the returning itinerants. I want to thank each group for their efforts and the information they will provide. From the short reports people gave me, I think we can help some folks and create some trade relationships quickly and beneficially. So, without further pause, let’s hear from Jessica.” Ted sat as Jessica came to the front. The last two years had been good for her. She was no longer the quiet girl who doted on Kyle’s every need. She had become a leader in her own right, beautiful and intelligent.

  “Hi, all!” Jessica began. “Our itineracy was composed of Myself, Natalee, Ben and Gerrity. We were tasked with heading south, but avoiding the west side and Manitou areas, because of Fine’s group. We did see a group of his bandit’s and prepared for a fight, but for some reason they left us alone, and that was the only interaction we had with that group. The south side had few of the survivors’ camps we have heard so much about. We saw the ruins of Fort Carson, burned out. We erected a sign at the mass graves to tell people what happened, but we should probably return with a Terra to make that sign more permanent since it is wood now and won’t last. The entire south side of town was burned out after the Event, so there wasn’t a lot to see there. It looked like the resort was burned out as well, although we specifically were not supposed to go that way. We did meet small camps of folks and gave aid, but most were struggling and had nothing to trade. We did our best to help them and move on. There has been widespread devastation, both to the health and the structure of the south side. Illness, conflict and the elements have destroyed the population. Almost everyone we met was in such a bad situation that the best we could offer was for them to move closer to our area. The population may build soon, and indeed there are camps down the cliffs already forming. We should probably send warriors to patrol for their safety since we don’t want innocents as a buffer between ourselves and Fine’s group. And, that is all I have.”

  Ted stood. “Any questions for first group?” No one had any, there was small mumbling, but nothing too difficult to manage. Ted spoke out in a louder voice, “Jenny is speaking for the next group, I believe.”

  Jenny nodded and came to the front. “Our itineracy was Me, Kyle, Kelly and Slim.” Jenny was used to public speaking even before the Event and her confidence showed. “We went north, and have much the same to report. We did meet many more survivors’ camps than south did, I guess. The people to the north seem to mostly be trading and scavenging. The change in climate with all of the added rain, both near to the Event and after have increased lakes up near Monument, and the streams remain much more full than before the Event. We saw people beginning to grow fields where they could. This was mostly corn and berries. There were some with livestock, and they were willing to trade for either goods or services. We brought back three goats and an Alpaca we traded for some Terra work that Slim did and some healing that Kelly did. The camps reported small groups of rovers that attacked and stole on occasion, but said that was mostly last summer and this spring they really hadn’t seen any. We heard mention of a group of entertainers from up north,” Ted glanced over at Mickey, Theo and Brandon, who were chowing down on some vegetables and not really paying attention to the meeting. “From the reports, they are quite entertaining and some said were from the Renaissance faire in Larkspur.” Mickey’s head popped up at this, apparently he had been listening.

  Jenny continued. “It does not seem like there is a huge security risk on the north side. No group has moved into the Academy. We were never challenged in any way. People were kind and seemed to want to engage in trade. We informed them of our presence and told about the healing school. Some asked if we were teaching empaths and kinetics, and I didn’t really have an answer. That is all I have for now. Any questions?”

  Ted smiled. Jenny didn’t need him to ask for her. But he did have a question, “I do not have a question for you, but for the group. Should we expand the training school to train empaths and kinetics? What about Warriors beyond our own? Let’s consider this and talk another time, but keep it in mind. Also, I believe we have some of those entertainers in our midst. I would like to introduce to you all Mickey, Theo and Brandon form Larkspur, I am guessing.”

  All three men stood and bowed with great flourish, showing themselves to be showmen. Ted continued, “I will see what we can barter to get them to provide us with a show either tonight or tomorrow?” Mickey nodded his head.

  After waiting for any other questions, which didn’t come, Ted stood again. “The third itineracy has not yet returned, so Kate?”

  Kate came to the front. “Our group was Alex, Jonah, Antwon and Me. We were tasked with heading due east. We travelled through much of the old city, and did run into roving bands from time to time with only a few skirmishes. The middle and east of the city have formed into many small communities that have found ways to wall themselves up in blocks and such. There were a few camps who were really only one extended family, but most were straggling survivors who bonded for security and combined resources. Many were very leery of outsiders and not prepared to trade, some were downright rude. In the far east, we met farmers and ranchers, but there was a very different vibe out there. They did not like our powers at all.” A mumble went through the crowd. “It actually seemed dangerous to show them, so the last half
of our trip, we just met people and didn’t provide assistance. There is some group called The Faith out there that “protects” the people against those with powers. How they do that, I couldn’t tell you. We didn’t meet any actual members, but were kicked off one farm when Jonah filled their well and helped with irrigation…”

  Ted looked up and saw Rich jogging into the area, sweating profusely and out of breath. Jack was by his side and Cliff followed a little behind them. He stood, “Our fourth group has returned, let’s let them catch their breath as we hear more from Kate…” Rich jogged right up to the front and got close to Ted.

  “Kim has been taken.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  She was in her time of remorse, and as such, was not allowed to speak. But, Kim watched as they dragged the unconscious woman to the platform and tied her to the post. She stood in quiet reflection as the Faith gathered dry wood from the area and began to stack it around and beneath the platform. Kim was at home now; these were much more her people than the people of the Bluffs had ever been. They were kind. Minister Sal was a good man, whose only purpose was the get through this Armageddon and eliminate the demons causing these abilities. He would do that through prayer for the willing, or through violence for the unwilling. It was love he was showing, even if they did not see it.

  Sal looked at her and inclined his head to indicate she should obtain wood as well. She walked the area and picked up small branches and laid them around the platform. As she turned, she nearly bumped into Cory, the leader of the Lord’s Hammer. His cold eyes always frightened her, but it was he who had taken the demon of fire from her when Sal had seen that she was penitent. He never smiled, nor did any of the Lord’s Hammer. But neither did they laugh, or cry. They didn’t speak, or get angry. But God had granted them the ability to cleanse people of the demonic powers which possessed everyone left in the world. They were a blessing.

  Kim bowed her head and Cory just walked by her, emotionally impassive as ever. Kim heard the moan and realized he was not concerned anyway. She saw the other Lord’s Hammer members move into place around the platform as the woman came groggily to her senses.

  “What…what is going on?” the woman mumbled. Kim was hesitant to even think of her given name. Sal had taught her that those still in the powers were servants of the Adversary. Even those she used to call friends. Just like herself, they had been controlled by demons. Kim had revealed everything about them to Sal, and he had absolved her of her sins. He had even said that God forgave her for burning hundreds of living men that one night many months ago. She would forever be in Sal’s debt. She had led the Lord’s Hammer to the clearing where the abominations were made. There, they had captured this woman, Annie Grace. She had refused to bend the knee. Sal had determined that her only redemption lay in the fire.

  “No. Please. No.” Annie sobbed out, and Kim just turned away to take her place in the outer circle with the rest of the faith.

  Minister Sal stood before Annie, clearly in her view, but not so close to be touched by the flame that was certain to come next. “Demon awake!” he shouted at her, and her eyes went wide. “Come out of this woman, or you will return to the pit from whence you came, servant of the Enemy!”

  Annie’s eyes darted from side to side. “What are you talking about? You are crazy. Let me go!”

  “Silence!” Sal called out. “Do you repent of your evil? Do you repent of the power of the Evil One? Do you, Annie Grace?”

  There was silence as the woman sobbed. Sal turned to speak to the Faith, but Annie yelled out one last thing. “Go fuck yourself, asshole!”

  The Faith gasped and mumbled, but Sal did not look at Annie again. He continued looking at the Faith as he spoke. “Given the opportunity to repent, the faithful always repent and the demons always revile. Have we not see it, friends?”

  The crowd agreed they had seen it. Kim nodded along with the others.

  “Now, in these end times,” Sal continued, “it is only we who can make a difference. It is only those of the Faith who can stop the evil, the abomination, and the power of the Adversary. God has shown it to us. Has he not?”

  “He has!” Kim shouted with the rest. The Faith were growing excited with the speech.

  “Those who repent are saved, turning from their evil ways. Those who do not are condemned to eternal fire by their own actions.” Sal turned around and looked at Annie again.

  “By your words and deeds, you have been judged, Annie Grace!” Sal stated.

  “You have no right…” Annie mumbled through her tears.

  “God has the right.” Sal replied and inclined his head to the Lord’s Hammer, who lowered their heads in prayer. Sal lifted his head to the sky. “Lord, convict this sinner and the demon who resides within her. Bring your fire down and consume her flesh, that her spirit may be free again.”

  The fire sprung up in the dry wood immediately, in just the same way it used to spring from Kim. But, in this case, no one had used powers. They could not with the Lord’s Hammer around. This meant that the fire had come directly from God. Kim had heard of it, but had never seen it. It was proof that God Himself was on their side.

  The fire grew rapidly. The smoke began to rise, and Annie began to gasp and sputter. “Please. Don’t do this. You don’t have to do this.”

  Sal stood with his head to the sky as the flames grew and caught the platform on fire. Annie squirmed and pleaded as the flames licked at her legs, and began to scream as she herself caught fire and began to burn. Kim immediately thought of the men near the Hillside, that she had burned. It was hard not to make the parallel, but that had been for herself and for evil. This had been for God. She reminded herself of that as the flames took Annie’s voice, and soon after, Annie’s life.

  While Annie Grace’s corpse burned in the clearing, the Faith walked away singing hymns. The Lord’s Hammer remained behind to protect the Faith, as Sal said that occasionally a demon would escape if not watched. But, the rest of them went back to the Chapel Grounds, slowly and with great joy.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  “We need to do what we can.” Ted said as he walked out of their little stone home.

  “Why do they need you to go?” Kayla followed him.

  Ted turned and looked into his wife’s eyes. “Sweetheart, I always send other people. Sometimes a leader needs to show that the risk is even. Why is this bothering you so much?”

  Kayla looked down at the dirt. When she looked up again, he saw the worry in her eyes. “After all of these years, all I wanted was a reprieve from the deployments. Only since the Event, have I been able to make sure you stay home.”

  Ted felt a guilt that had once been familiar spread into his chest. He had left her home so many times, as he headed off to foreign wars. But this was different. “These are not foreign wars,” He said, trying to comfort her. “This, I am doing to protect our family and friends. To make sure our daughter grows up in safety and with all of the provisions she needs.”

  There was a long silence. Finally, Kayla responded. “I understand.” It was all she said, and she turned around and went back into their home. She was not going to see him off.

  Ted continued out toward the center of the Bluffs, to where he would meet up with his team. They had a plan, and Ted wanted to make sure they followed it. They would tour a few areas mentioned by the itineracies, going south for a bit, then straight north through the center of town and, eventually end up on the east side. Ted would assess this Faith himself and see if there was peace to be made.

  As he rounded a corner, he was surprised to see a row of mountain bikes lined up. “Hey! Where did we get these?”

  Rich walked up and shook his hand. “Anthony found that bike rental place untouched. Apparently, it never occurred to anyone to grab bikes when the cars stopped working.”

  “Well done, Johnson!” Ted called out to the former soldier.

  “Thanks, Sarge!” Anthony called back.

  Ted was the last to arrive, and th
ere were many more than the team there to see them off. Only Ted had no one to see him off. Kayla had, of course, returned to their home and Max was nowhere to be seen. Jordan was hugging Emma off to one side, while Anthony’s young girlfriend was handing him a loaded backpack. Rich was leaving instructions to the young pastor who would see to the chapel in his absence, the same who had seen to it during his itineracy. Antwon’s wife and kids were there to say goodbye, and Kin was trying to hug his brother, who would have none of it. Ted looked closely at the young man, he had a clear discomfort to his affect.

  Ted walked up to Cliff. “You doing okay, bud?” He reached out to put a hand on Cliff’s shoulder, but the boy winced and pulled away.

  “Yeah, it is just a rash. It is something I picked up on the itineracy, but it will fix itself.” Cliff wouldn’t even look at Ted.

  “You are probably right, but go see Adam before we leave.” Ted wanted to make sure his whole team was healthy, but he also cared a great deal about Cliff Ko.

  “Adam already returned to the Hillside.” Cliff responded. “It will be okay.”

  “No.” Ted firmly stated. “It will not be okay. I need you checked out before we go. Who is the best healer here right now?”

  Nat responded, Kin was here to see her off as well. “Got to be Jack.”

  “Then, go see Jack. It won’t take long and maybe he can give you some comfort.” Ted wasn’t even done talking when the boy stomped off toward the healer’s area.

  “Sorry about my brother.” Kin said.

  “I served with a lot of teens, son, this is nothing new.” Ted replied. Kin smiled gratefully.