The Tree and the Tablet (The St. James Chronicles Book 1)

by Kathryn O'Brien

  “There are many things that I do not know, but the one thing that I do know is that love is a very powerful thing. Some say it is bigger than us and when the great spirit chooses to link two souls together, there is always a greater cause.” Her compassion was easy to read in her expression as she explained, “Love is probably the one power that can turn the tides of destiny.” She patted my hand. “You will see.” She gave me one of those motherly smiles, filled with reassurance and hope. Taking the napkin from the table, she gently wiped my tears away. Staring down at my hands, I took a shaky breath. Placing her hand under my chin, she gently coaxed me to look up into her eyes. “Let us put on our best face and go see Duck before he breaks into my home or kills someone while chasing whatever has fascinated him out there.” We both laughed envisioning the chaos that would cause.

  We walked out the arched doorway into the gardens. The beauty was striking against the chaos only miles away. Duck swooped across the small valley, leaving behind his quarry for another day. Landing in front of me, I could swear he’d grown again. He seemed like he was definitely a little larger than a bull elephant now. He had to lean down to sniff my hair. “Mistress!” It was a half sigh, half laugh. He licked me, which made me giggle.

  “Duck, we have to go back.”

  He frowned. “I know, but I don’t like it.”

  Patting him gently and stroking his neck, I felt his anguish. “You’re the only one strong enough to carry the tree if I’m not able to transport it.”

  “But the people who may see me will not understand.” He blinked his great eyes. “I don’t want to scare them.”

  I hadn’t thought of that. “Duck, I need to try to reach out and communicate with Jaxon. After I speak with him, we’ll transport directly to my home.”

  “Yes, Mistress.” A more contrite and obedient puppy, I’d never seen. However, I’d also never had a puppy that could link its mind with mine or speak. A small grin crossed my lips at that thought. He was such a joy to be around. Always concerned and thoughtful but also playful and filled with love. Even now, I could feel the love coursing through me, like a tether that bound us.

  Closing my eyes and breathing steadily, I reached out my thoughts to Jaxon in his beautiful robin form. “Maggie? Is that you?” His thoughts seemed anguished and frail.

  There were two visions. One of a cage, and one of a tree. I don’t remember him being in a cage. As a matter of fact, the last time I saw him, I told him to wait outside the waterfall. “Jaxon? Where are you?”

  “Daniel came out of the cave and when I flew to his hand, he grabbed my foot.” Occupying his mind, I felt his little heart beating rapidly as he spoke. He was afraid. “He put me in a cage and took me back to your house. But he’s upset because Andrea isn’t in the tree anymore and it looks like a mole dug a hole next to the tree.”

  Gasping, my chest constricted with longing and fear. Daniel had Jaxon? Why was he at my house? Did he figure out what was happening?

  Quickly, I asked, “Jaxon, where is Daniel now?”

  Suddenly, I could see Daniel through one of Jaxon’s eyes. “Maggie?” He peered into the other eye. “I know you’re in there. You need to come here now. We have things to discuss.” He squeezed Jaxon a little and I could feel Jaxon’s fear increasing. There was no time to waste. My eyes flew open and sought out Duck. Seeing him standing close by, I placed my hand over my rapidly beating heart.

  “Duck, I’m going now! You need to wait and follow me when I reach my thoughts out to you.”

  “But, Mistress, I don’t...”

  “There’s no time to discuss it,” I interrupted curtly. “Do as I ask!” Seeing his pained expression, I spoke softer, “Please, Duck.” He lowered his head in compliance.

  Shalandria was standing by and grasping my upper arm with her frail hand, "Maggie, what is happening?"

  "I don't have time to explain. Jaxon’s in danger. I must leave now!"

  "I understand." She released my arm. "Go with the Great Spirit to watch over you." She nodded solemnly. She reached over to gently place her hand on Duck and he was instantly calmed.

  "I am only a thought away." He reminded me.

  "Thank you, my friend." My eyes fluttered closed and suddenly, I remembered the tablet was sitting on my bedside table. Better to leave it behind. Just in case. Again, I refocused my thoughts and instantly, I was transported through space and time. With a whoosh and a swirl of colors, I was standing next to the dogwood outside my back deck. Surprised at how quickly it seemed, I thought, "Wow, I’m getting pretty good at this." I spied Jaxon in a cage that was hanging from a low branch on the tree.

  Strong hands grasped me from behind and turned me around. “Maggie, where’s the tablet?” His voice sounded frantic.

  My heart did a strange flip in my chest at the electric contact from Daniel, but I remembered that he was holding Jaxon hostage and I needed to take the tree back to Nohad and the Glenn. Reminding myself I was angry at him for his betrayal, I spat out, “Snake! How could you? You knew all along what was going to happen, and you played me like a flute.”

  His expression turned dark and his eyes penetrated my soul. Those beautiful eyes that I wanted to drown in at one time seemed to be on fire when he first made eye contact with me, but as soon as the words left my lips, they’d hardened, turning a deep jade green, and his lips snarled at me, “A flute?” He laughed, “You have no clue what you’re doing. And you have no idea what’s at stake.” I tried to shake him off, but his grip was like iron. His voice softened slightly, “Give me the tablet, Maggie, and I’ll give you Jaxon.”

  “Let me go.” He looked like he was contemplating something, but then released me. “I don’t have the tablet.”

  Watching me carefully, “You’re lying.” Turning, he walked to the little cage and began to put his hand in. Jaxon started flitting around and squawking fearfully while attempting to keep out of Daniel’s reach. Daniel was finally able to grasp Jaxon in his large hand. Jaxon’s little head turned this way and that, trying to peck Daniel with his little beak.

  I’d started to walk toward him but stopped myself. I pleaded with him, “Daniel, please. Don’t do this. I swear I don’t have it.” To prove myself, I opened my jacket to show him. “I lost it when I left the cave. It just disappeared.” The lie came more smoothly this time and I prayed he’d be convinced.

  He watched me carefully as he started to gently squeeze Jaxon in his hand. Jaxon started flailing about and screeching wildly. He started to relax his hand, “Maggie, you don’t understand. I NEED that tablet.” He emphasized the word “need”.

  “Daniel, I’ll find it. I have to take the tree and Jaxon though.” He looked at the tree and then back to me.

  His eyes watched me carefully. He ran his other hand through his hair, and it fell forward, cascading across his troubled brow. Briefly, I wondered what he was thinking. I don't care. Yes, you do. No! Stop it, Maggie. I admonished myself for my momentary weakness. He growled low and looked to his right.

  He seemed like he was talking to someone else that was standing beside him, but there was no one there, as he said, “Yes, but I’ll give her the bird.” He looked frustrated. “No, Ellandra! That’s not what we agreed on.” He released Jaxon who promptly flew to me. As soon as Jaxon reached me, I mentally called out to Duck.

  Daniel strode over to me purposefully. “She wants me to kill you, but I think it’ll be much more fun to keep you alive." Reaching down he plucked a strand of my hair out of my face. Releasing the air that was burning my lungs, our eyes were locked, and my heart hoped for one moment that he’d change his mind.

  As I exhaled, his name danced on my lips, "Daniel." It was a mere whisper. All of my longing and hope was enveloped within that one word. My heart and soul dripped out of my mouth with that one breath.

  He grimaced as if he were in the most intense pain. His whisper echoed mine, "Maggie." A deep tenderness crossed his face as he put his hand against my cheek. He was so close I could feel his
breath on my lips. There was definitely something there besides lust, but I dared not speak it out loud. I opened my mouth to speak...

  Before I had a chance to react, he leaned down and kissed me. It was filled with every single emotion all rolled into one moment. Fire scorched my lips and my soul ached. As I clung to him, my heart ached. A tear trickled down my cheek. Even now, I can’t resist him. Why? My thoughts spun in circles.

  He pulled away. Briefly, he stared at the solitary tear that was dangling precariously on my cheek. Reaching up and wiping it away with his thumb, he turned without a word and strode to the tree. “You leave me no choice.” He said as he grasped the tree limb in front of him. “Bring me the tablet and I’ll give you the tree.”

  Regaining my wits, I ran forward, “Daniel, No!”

  Just as Duck appeared next to me, Daniel disappeared with the tree. Crumpling to the ground like a puddle of mush next to the churned-up earth where the tree had once been, I cried. The tears flowed freely as I yelled to the sky with anger, pain, and longing mixed, “I’ll find you!” Raising my fists, “Do you hear me? I will save them!” With my clenched fist, I punched the dirt next to the hole in the ground. Something caught my eye. A breeze stirred, and my hair flowed around me like a river as I slowly extended my hand toward the glowing white and gold object that was pulsing slowly in the soft earth. Reaching out my hand, I lifted up the one thing that I never thought to see, the amulet.

  My mind raced with a million thoughts. Why did he leave the amulet? Suddenly, hope filled my heart and getting to my feet, I turned to Duck who was now stone again and sporting a beautiful robin for a hat. “There’s much to do, my friend!” Striding to Duck and placing my hand on his flank, I smiled as I whispered under my breath, “I will find a way! I will fix this and he will be mine!” With that thought, I closed my eyes and allowed the world around me to dissolve as I ventured toward a new world. My journey was just beginning.

  About the Author

  Dreamer, Spell Weaver, Dragon Lover, Hopeless Romantic.

  Kathryn O’Brien lives in a small town outside of Belfair, Washington, with her family and three dogs. When she’s not escaping to her fantasy realms, she spends her time taking care of her three young grandchildren and cooking delicious treats for her family and friends. She spends time working on her artistic expression in many ways which includes writing poetry, painting landscapes using oils, and working on finding ways to stay out of trouble. The places she’s been in her life are inspirations for all of her stories and her passion for life is evident in every word she writes.