Becks finished combing out and re-braiding my hair as Sam came back. He sat down and made sure his feet were dry before pulling on his socks and boots. “Gear up, Becks. It’s up to us to get to the main trail and as far down it as we can. The Rangers will meet us on it, and your parents will meet us at the station as soon as possible. They’re leaving their meeting in Berlin now but it will take them a while to get back here.”
Becks pulled on her socks and hikers before helping me into mine. Then she grabbed a short length of rope from her pack before standing up and swinging her pack into place. Once it was settled, she grabbed my pack and hefted it before directing Sam to lash it on top of hers. It was an ungainly solution, but it sure beat trying to carry it by hand.
Sam donned his pack and settled it before pulling me to my feet. My knees buckled as soon as I was fully upright. He caught me and put me in a fireman’s carry once again. “Becks, break trail, please.” He was asking her to hold stray branches out of our way so they didn’t hit us.
Off we went, setting as steady a pace as possible.
Chapter Six
The trip out took longer than the trip in, because Sam was moving slowly to conserve his energy and not jostle me too badly. When we reached the main trail, I tapped him to get his attention.
“What is it, Sin? Are you going to be sick?”
I was somewhat amused by his question, but it was legit since we couldn’t have known how I’d react to being carried upside-down for any length of time. “No, not that. Stop and put me down when we reach a spot with full sun. It’ll help me warm up.”
I was happy to realize my teeth weren’t chattering as badly, although I still had to fight to get certain words and longer sentences out clearly.
“Ok, can do. We should be coming up on a spot soon.”
Becks dropped back to walk beside us now that she didn’t have to worry about holding branches out of our way. I could feel her assessing gaze on me, although it was several minutes before she spoke.
“There’s a clearing roughly a hundred feet ahead of us. Once your head and body settle, I want you to try walking. I’ll make sure you don’t fall. Don’t overdo it, but moving around should help you warm up faster.”
By the time she’d finished speaking, I could feel the sun beating down on me. It was a very welcome change from the shade on the game trail.
Sam carefully set me down on a large rock at the side of the trail. I braced my hands against my knees and let my head hang as I adjusted to being upright. Once I was sure the dizziness had passed, I straightened up and told Becks, “Let’s try it.”
She walked directly in front of me and held out her hands, wrapping them around my wrists as I did the same with hers. “On three. One, two, three.” I heaved myself to my feet while she tugged me up. It wasn’t graceful and I swayed more than once while trying to find my balance, but she held me steady until I could stand without resembling an inflatable wind dancer.
Sam shifted, but Becks waved him off. “I’ve got this. You rest. You may need to carry her again.” Becks retreated to arms’ length in front of me, still holding my wrists. “One foot in front of the other, Sin. I won’t let you fall.”
I stepped toward her, never doubting she’d catch me if I started to go down. Becks was a hell of a lot stronger than she looked.
My legs were shaky and my balance practically non-existent, but I managed to step forward. She retreated to arms’ length again. We repeated this process several times until I was steadier. Becks let go, although she stayed close as I slowly paced back and forth in front of the rock. I still had intense zings hitting random nerves in my legs at odd times. Each time it happened it caused me to miss a step and stiffen, almost falling. Becks was quick to catch me every time.
Sam stood up as I neared the rock again. “Time to go. Ready, Sin?”
“As ready as I can be.”
“Need a lift? Or are you ready to try walking?”
“Let me try walking. No guarantees, though. I still feel like it’s my first day on my new legs.”
Becks walked slightly ahead of me on my left and Sam walked behind to my right as we resumed our hike. We weren’t covering ground as quickly as we wanted since I was still experiencing random nerve zings in my legs and also needed to stop frequently to rest, but we were making progress.
About thirty minutes later, we heard the distinctive sound of a UTV. It crested the ridge in front of us and stopped.
Two Rangers hopped out and hurried over. “Are you the three who called for help?”
“Yes,” Sam answered. “Sin,” he gestured at me, “wound up almost fully encased in ice. She’s recovering and is now able to walk for short stretches on her own but is still experiencing random nerve zings in her legs. We’re also concerned about other possible after effects.”
“All right. Get in, and we’ll get you back to the Ranger station. We’ve got one of our medics coming in from one of the other stations. She’ll evaluate you, Sin, and decide if hospital treatment is necessary. We’ll also need to get a full report about the incident.” He gestured toward the UTV.
We walked over and climbed in. Becks and Sam still had the backpacks on, which made sitting very uncomfortable for them, but there wasn’t room for them to put the packs at our feet. The Rangers climbed in, fired up the UTV, and off we went.
Chapter Seven
When we reached the Ranger station some time later, the medic—another Ranger—was waiting for us. Sam helped me out of the UTV, steadying me until I found my balance. The medic ushered me into the station, asking me the standard preliminary questions as we walked. When I told her what had happened, she stopped in her tracks.
“Ice started spontaneously building around you, then created a wall between you and a moose?”
“Yes.”
“And you’ve never had anything like that happen before?”
“No.”
“Other than the encounter with the moose, was there anything different than usual today? Something you did, or maybe something you wore?”
I started to shake my head, then stopped. “Maybe?” I thought about it for a minute. “I wore my nana’s medallion today. I had it in my hand when the ice started forming.”
A thoughtful look crossed her face as she proceeded with the exam. Once she’d finished, she had me wrap up in a thermal blanket. The extra warmth was welcome since I still felt chilled.
“The good news is, you seem to be recovering well. I’m going to monitor you until your parents arrive. As long as your recovery continues like this, you should be able to go home rather than to the hospital. If you feel an increased chill, start shivering, or experience a headache, nausea, or anything of that nature, tell me immediately.”
“Okay.” A wave of exhaustion swept over me.
“You can lie down on the cot to rest.”
I shuffled over to the cot, blanket still wrapped around me, and curled up, my eyelids immediately closing as I slipped into a light doze. I could dimly hear Becks and Sam talking to the Rangers, the medic’s voice punctuating the conversation.
The medic shook me awake some time later. “Your parents should be here soon. Do you feel up to answering a few questions while we wait?”
I sat up and rubbed my eyes before pulling the blanket back around my shoulders. “I guess. What do you want to know?”
“You said you wore a medallion today and had it in your hand when the ice started forming. Can you tell me the exact circumstances? Everything you remember; it may be the key to figuring out why that happened.”
I spoke slowly, sifting through my recollections. “We were lying on the grass near the stream that borders one edge of the hidden meadow, drying off after going wading. I heard the shutter on Becks’ camera and her telling us to look to our left. When I did, this huge bull moose was staring at us from about fifty feet away. He lowered his head and antlers and started walking toward us. Sam, Becks, and I all kind of lost our heads and jumped up to scatter,
hoping he’d leave us alone—except I couldn’t move once I was on my feet. I remember I had the medallion in my hand when the cold hit, and then it was just ice, ice, and more ice. It got so cold so fast, it wasn’t funny. Mr. Moose headed toward me, but just before he reached me, an ice wall came up between us. Don’t ask me how; I’ve got no clue.”
The medic’s expression never changed but her eyes revealed that she was both alarmed and curious. “May I see the medallion?”
I hesitated before drawing it out from under the sweatshirts, holding it in a closed fist once I had. For some reason, I was reluctant to let her look at it.
My parents rushed through the doorway a moment later, asking me if I was okay. To my surprise, Nana was with them. She immediately pushed her way through the others to sit next to me on the bed, wrapping her arm around my shoulders.
“Put it back under your shirt, Sin.” She made eye contact with my parents. “I’ll answer any further questions the medic has.”
I did as directed without question and was relieved when it was hidden again.
If the Ranger was surprised, she didn’t show it. “May I assume you know exactly what the medallion is and does?”
“You may. It’s an artifact that’s been in my family’s direct lineage for centuries. It has two peculiar properties: one is that it chooses who its next bearer will be, and when.” She paused.
“And the second?” the medic finally prompted.
“The second is that it unlocks any latent magic the bearer possesses.” Nana left it at that, keeping her gaze on the medic.
“An artifact like that should be stored under lock and key where it isn’t a temptation or danger to others.”
“I assure you, Ranger, it’s carefully monitored at all times. Those who need to know about it, know.” Nana paused again. “I strongly suggest you refrain from pursuing the matter. Any information beyond what I just told you is need-to-know.”
The medic acquiesced with a nod. “Very well, but please make sure the young lady gets the necessary training as quickly as possible. From what she and her friends said, she’s lucky she’s not seriously injured—or dead.”
Nana nodded. “Now that her magic has manifested, her training will begin in earnest.” She stood, beckoning me up as well. “Leave the blanket, Sin. The Rangers will need it another time. We have blankets in the SUV if you’re still cold.”
I folded the blanket and set it on the cot before straightening to face the medic. “Thank you for taking care of me.”
“Be well, Sin, and learn quickly. Until later.” She walked out, closing the door behind her.
My parents followed her after hugging me tightly, then Nana and me. Becks and Sam were outside.
I looked at them, confused. “Where are your parents? I thought they were coming too?”
Sam answered first. “No, just yours. I texted mine while the medic was checking you over. Once they learned your parents were en route, they decided there was no need to add to the crowd.”
Becks followed up quickly with, “Mine said the same but asked me to come home as soon as possible. They’re a little spooked.” She made eye contact with my nana. “My parents wanted me to ask if we could all come over to talk once you’ve got Sin home and settled.” She glanced at Sam. “Sam, they’d like you there as well.”
They both looked at my nana, waiting.
“Why don’t both of you come straight to the house? Call or text your parents, Becks, and have them head over. Sam, please let yours know you’ll be at our place. We all need to chat while events are still fresh in your minds.” She held up a hand when Becks started to speak. “Sin will be fine. She’d insist on being part of the discussion even if she wasn’t.”
I flushed because she was right.
Sam spoke up. “Becks, why don’t you ride with me. We’ll bring Sin’s backpack since it’s still lashed to yours and meet everyone at the house. You can let your parents know before we hit the road.”
“Sounds good. Sin, we’ll see you at your place.” They waved goodbye to everyone, grabbed all three packs, and headed for Sam’s car.
Nana turned toward our SUV and gestured to my parents and me to get in. My dad took the driver’s seat. Nana and I climbed in back, leaving the front passenger seat for my mom.
“No questions about what happened until we’re all at the house.” Nana spoke peremptorily as we headed home.
I grabbed one of the blankets on the seat and drew it over me to block the cold air from the AC and leaned my head against the window. I dozed off during the short drive but was jostled awake by the SUV bouncing and swaying over the potholes and ruts at the end of our driveway.
We all got out while Sam pulled in and parked right behind us. Becks grabbed my pack, and she and Sam caught up as I reached the back door. We all went inside. Becks dropped my bag in the mud room on her way in, then greeted her parents when they walked through the door a moment later.
Nana ushered us all into the living room. “Pull up a chair and get comfortable. The kids will tell us what happened.”
Chapter Eight
Once everyone was seated, Nana waited expectantly while Sam, Becks, and I conferred silently.
Becks started recounting the day’s events from her point of view. Most of it matched my recollections until she got to the part about the moose and the ice.
“I had my camera in hand when I noticed the moose walk into the meadow a few hundred yards away. He didn’t seem interested in us, so I stayed quiet but kept an eye on him. Next thing I knew, his head came up and he started walking toward us. I snapped some pics as he came closer, figuring he’d stop well short of us, but he just kept coming. When he did stop, he was about fifty feet away. That was when I got Sin’s and Sam’s attention.
“When the moose lowered his head and swung his antlers toward us, I knew it meant trouble. I think I panicked. I know I can’t outrun a moose, but my feet took off and the rest of me went with them. Sam took off as well, but Sin just stood there after getting to her feet. It looked like she had something clenched in her hand but I couldn’t tell for sure. Then ice started to build on and around Sin. Everything happened so fast! The moose tried to get to Sin, then a freaking wall of ice flowed up between them!”
She stopped for a gulp of air. “After the moose left, I tried to get to Sin. I didn’t know what I could do, but I had to help somehow. Sam was the one who calmed her down, telling her the moose was gone and getting her to breathe with him. The ice started melting, and once Sin was free and we could walk without slipping around like drunken monkeys on a slip-n-slide, we headed out. I grabbed Sin’s and my backpack, and Sam grabbed his and carried Sin. Once we were on dry ground, we got Sin toweled off and into different clothes. Sam spoke to the Rangers and indicated Sin needed medical evaluation. We were told to meet them on the main trail so we started back. Sam carried Sin until she felt she could walk. Soon after that, the Rangers met us and brought us the rest of the way to the station.”
Becks gestured to Sam.
“Once Becks alerted Sin and me to look at the moose, I noticed he seemed more intent on Sin than Becks or me. I’m not sure why. Whatever the reason, Becks and I didn’t interest him, even when we took off running. I stopped sooner than Becks did because of that, so I got a pretty good look at what happened next.
“Sin had the medallion clenched in her hand. I’d noticed it earlier when it slid out from under her shirt. When the moose started to become a threat, a blue glow leaked between Sin’s fingers. I assume it was from the medallion since I’ve never seen Sin’s hand glow before. The ice formed as Becks described. Soon after the ice wall came up, something in the woods caught the moose’s attention and he headed off to investigate. That was when I started talking to Sin, trying to get her to calm down. I’m no magic user, but I’ve talked to people who are. They all say staying calm is key, so I figured that was the best way to help until we could get out of there.”
“Thank you, kids.” Nana looked at
me and waited.
“I was dozing. I heard the camera shutter, then Becks telling Sam and me to turn our heads to the left. When I did, I saw the moose standing there. He didn’t seem angry, just curious. Then something changed and he started getting upset. I got up, but couldn’t move after that. The ice was already forming and built up rapidly. When Mr. Moose tried to get to me, a wall of ice somehow flowed up between us. I have no clue how it happened but I’d really like to know what the hell is going on, because if this is magic, I refuse to have anything to do with it if it means damn near freezing myself to death!”
I was wound up, the fear and stress of the situation making themselves known.
“Easy, Sin.” Sam’s deep voice grounded me, as did the hand he rested on my shoulder. “We’ll figure it out.”
I took a deep breath and held it before letting it out. “Nana? What’s going on?”
She pinned each of us with an admonitory stare. “This information goes no further than this room. Swear it.”
We did, although it raised more questions.
“I gave Sin the medallion for her sixteenth birthday. That was when the medallion made it known who its next bearer would be.” She paused. “Sin is the second-youngest bearer in our family’s history.”
Becks half-raised her hand. “What does that mean?”
Nana shrugged. “Other than knowing the medallion wanted to be passed to Sin, I have no idea. Based on the past, it’s likely something is going to happen that will require magic, specifically hers, to deal with.”
“Not reassuring, Nana.”
“Magic is only a tool, Sin. Once you learn how to use it properly, you’ll do just fine.” Sam’s calm statement helped me stave off a fresh wave of panic.
Tales from the Oriceran Universe: Fans Write For The Fans: Volume 1 (Oriceran Fans Write For the Fans) Page 5