Soon, delectable smells were swirling around them. Working together, they shared little tidbits about themselves. Breakfast was quickly and gratefully devoured. Matthias and Athena volunteered to clean up. The others went to change to workout clothing for stretching and hand-to-hand routines.
As they gathered in the exercise room, Athena revealed she was a regular yoga attendee and that she’d taken self-defense classes in college. She easily followed the moves Treena led them through. Next, she worked with Symba, who assessed her defensive skills and demonstrated a few new moves. Two hours passed quickly as they shifted partners and practiced. After showers, they agreed to meet in the garden which Athena had yet to see.
Athena was as impressed and delighted as each of the others had been. She wandered through the garden, touching and smelling the flowers, while she waited for everyone to gather. The noon sun was warm, and she lifted her face to draw in its blessing. She thought it was good to be in human form in the sunshine. The sound of voices alerted her to the others’ arrival, bringing along with them blankets and chairs.
Brigid led them in a soothing meditation, refreshing their energy after their late night. Evander surprised them all by beginning with Nicole’s chant. Athena picked up the tune during the second and third repeat. It was catchy and seemed to throb energy into and between them, creating a harmony of sound.
Evander then spoke. “We remember those to whom we’ve said goodbye and all they’ve offered us. We give thanks for those who have supported us. They’ve formed the foundation for the mission we’re taking up. We welcome the gifts we uniquely bring and those which yet may emerge as we’re forged together by events to come. From Bernard who left us, to Athena who has joined us, I present this last tourmaline that Bernard charged for protection.”
Evander offered her the stone.
Athena responded, speaking from her heart. “I accept what is given, and I will share who I am. I join with you in fulfillment of the prophecy, that we may cross and mend, that our races may begin again with a new future before us.”
“May it be so,” Evander proclaimed.
“May it be so,” the others echoed.
Quillon spoke up. “We have various leftovers for lunch and then we’re off to meet with Gerarda and crew. When we return, it’ll be for the last time and we’ll need to pack up. Whatever rescue plans we undertake, we need to move on from here.”
“Thanks for sharing this place with us.” Treena looked back at the house and at the gardens. “A lot has happened in the days we’ve shared here.”
A swell of gratitude flowed over the group.
Quillon nodded in response and waited a moment for emotions to ebb. “We’ll know better what to pack after the meeting. For now, we’ll take a few kitbags with sandwiches, snacks, water, jackets, ID cards, and whatever specialty items you need.”
They traipsed back to the kitchen where they companionably fought over who got the last piece of pizza or who wanted lasagna. They made up sandwiches and packed their kits. Quillon reminded them that it was a thirty-minute drive and they’d have to hike to the caves. They would need to allow extra time in case they hit any roadblocks or met any people on the trail. He recommended disguises for Matthias and Athena because they were known shapeshifters.
Symba led them to the disguise closet and they picked out hiking boots with a three-inch lift inside that gave Athena extra height. She and Symba were similar in size, so they easily found items she could wear. Tights with extra padding went under hiking pants and gave the appearance of significant extra weight. A blonde wig and brown contacts finished her outfit.
Matthias got the potbellied shirt and plaid jacket, a black wig, and a black rinse for his beard. Quillon handed them IDs to go with their disguises, just in case. Soon, all was ready for them to ship out.
They used the van so they could travel in one vehicle. Brigid looked out the window at what was beginning to feel like familiar landscape. They’d only travelled about five miles when they saw a line of cars ahead and a police cruiser parked to the side. Tension mounted inside the van. As they drew up to the front of the line, an officer checked the license plate and gestured to Quillon to roll down his window.
As the officer leaned down, he routinely asked, “Good afternoon, sir. May I see your driver’s license and vehicle registration.”
Quillon pulled his license out of his wallet and reached over to the dash.
“Oh, hey there Quillon. Good to see you. Missed you at the last gathering. Our team could have used you!”
“I’m sure you guys played just fine, Mike. Sorry I missed the fun. What’s up today?” Quillon handed over the documents.
“Just the usual. We try to do random checks throughout the city to make sure people have their vehicle inspections and registrations up to date.”
Mike had already checked the inspection sticker on the window and now looked at the registration and insurance card. “Everything looks in order, Quillon.” He glanced at the rest of them and back to Quillon. “Where are you folks headed?”
“Looking to do some hiking in White Mountain Reserve.”
“We’re so glad to see the sun and some warmth, we just want to get out there and move, Mike,” Symba called from the back row of the van.
“Hey, Symba.” Mike grinned. “Didn’t see you back there. Enjoy your hike but be careful. I hear creatures that were quiet through the winter are emerging from their dens. And make sure you get this fellow out to our next game, will ya? I’d better let you go. The driver behind you looks impatient.” Mike waved them onward.
Brigid heaved a sigh of relief. “He seemed genuine, but I still felt so tense.”
“You were probably picking up tension from the rest of us,” Treena shifted her shoulders to release the stiffness she sensed in herself.
“Mike’s a good guy.” Symba turned around from waving back at him. “Even if he’d been directed to watch for escapees, he would’ve found a way to overlook them.”
“We got to know each other in college, and we’ve been friends ever since. We have friendly football matches a few times a year with some other classmates. He’s supportive of our cause and tries to do what he can. Being on the police force means he’s sometimes able to get inside information to me,” Quillon said.
“Sounded like he was warning us to be watchful up on the trail,” Evander stated.
“We already know some of the kinds of creatures you can meet up there, from the last time we met with Gerarda,” said Treena.
Matthias and Athena questioned her about her comment, so Treena filled them in.
Quillon turned the van onto the reserve road. “Be prepared for a bumpy ride. The van won’t handle the gravel quite as smoothly as the jeep did.”
Fortunately, it was only a couple of miles to the parking area. No other vehicles were in the lot. They gratefully stepped out and stretched before hitching their kitbags onto their backs.
As they made their way to the path, a slight figure jumped from a tree. Brigid took a quick step back, and then recognized Rebel and waved.
Rebel grinned and waved back as he said, “Mom sent me to watch for you. I’ll take you through the short cut. They’re waiting for you.”
They quickly fell in line behind Rebel and followed him to the hidden cave entrance above the parking area. Once through the narrow opening, they noticed the guards inside. They nodded at Rebel and gestured them onward. Rebel moved quickly, so they hastened to follow. No blindfolds were used this time.
***
The Priest
They arrived in the meeting room they had used before. Gerarda, and Conrad were already seated at the table with two of the dwarfs who had been part of the rescue the week before. A smiling Bernard hurried in and offered warm hugs in welcome. They introduced Athena as their newest teammate. Gerarda stood up and extended her hand to each of them, inviting them to take seats around the table.
Quillon quickly shared how the new members came to be on their
team and how they’d matched them to the fairy prophecy. Conrad introduced his team again and their particular skill sets. Gerarda shared up-to-date news on the Wheadon Ranch facility. Their informant, who made fresh vegetable deliveries to the ranch, indicated only half of the fifty beds were in use. Rescue efforts had interfered with patient delivery from High River and from two other community hospitals. Rebel discreetly but fiercely offered a high five to the dwarf seated next to him. Gerarda raised an eyebrow at the interruption but continued to tell them that the informant reported the majority of patients at the ranch were ones transferred from Morristown, Evansburg, and Queensville.
“So, it’s likely the fairies from our Realm are there.” Evander leaned forward eagerly.
Conrad nodded his agreement. “Since the ranch construction began, we’ve been making plans to mount a rescue. Our plans include destroying the facility to stop any more experiments in the future.”
“We need to find our people,” said Evander. “We believe one of the priests who crossed over earlier is part of the prophecy. We’d like to offer our support again.”
“Not just to find our priest, but because we believe in what you’re doing,” Treena added.
“We were hoping you’d join us,” said Gerarda. “I’ll let Conrad detail his plans.”
Conrad pointed to the map on the table. It showed the facility’s layout and the landscape around it. The two-story research building was in the center of the lot. To the east and west were four barracks, housing twenty-five staff in each. At the back of the lot was a large mess and entertainment hall. At the front of the lot was a guardhouse. Surrounding everything was a six-foot cement wall with spikes at the top. All of the buildings were erected on concrete slabs.
“What’s the layout inside the research building?” Athena asked.
Conrad pulled out an architectural plan that showed offices located at the front half of the building on the first floor. Three ten-bed wards were located on the back half of the first floor and two more wards were located on the second floor. The design of the second floor indicated various labs, testing areas, and an operating theatre.
“It looks massive and they’ll be well armed.” Quillon drummed his fingers on the table as he assessed the situation.
“Exactly, which is why we’re planning our rescue for four in the morning. Most staff will be sleeping in their barracks, so we’ll have fewer people to contend with in the main building.” Conrad looked around the table. “If we contain them in the barracks, we’ll only have to deal with the guards for that shift and the night duty staff on the wards.”
“We’ve been working with Luna,” said Gerarda. “After our last rescue, she wanted to get more involved, so we’ve been coordinating efforts. She sent in two rat shapeshifters. They’ve been busily chewing on the wiring to bypass alarms and to help get us into the facility. Some, in bird form, will be dropping sleeping draughts into the water supply in the mess hall before suppertime tonight.”
“At the back of the Wheadon Ranch are a set of caves used by earlier generations for cold cellar storage. It doesn’t appear the military took any notice of them. We’ve been able to connect to the caves with the help of some of our tunnellers. This will form the escape route once we free those held inside the facility. As we move everyone to the tunnels, we’ll collapse the caves so we can’t be followed.”
“This is quite a comprehensive effort.” Treena looked down at the detailed maps on the table.
Gerarda described how the dwarfs had been involved from the moment building began. She told them about their person on the construction crew, a well-respected building foreman. He had none of the dwarf coloring and his-mixed race heritage wasn’t known, so he had stayed under the radar. He had discreetly built weaknesses into all the buildings’ walls by using bits of stone that could be manipulated by the dwarfs. The plan was to bring the walls down once everyone was safely evacuated.
For the next two hours, Conrad and Gerarda went over the details of the plan, step by step. The team began to see where their skills could be helpful. Brigid would be needed at the front gate, in case the guards on duty weren’t affected by the sleeping draught. Quillon, Symba, Evander, and two of the dwarfs would be with her to break through at that entrance. They would then go directly to the research building. The rats should have chewed through the wires so they could enter the front door. Evander’s portal opening gift would help them assess what awaited them on the inside.
Meanwhile, Athena, in owl form, would check the grounds for any others on duty. Conrad and his team were going to bring down the wall behind the mess hall to create their escape route. His team would secure all the barracks and the mess hall to prevent any personnel from getting out. Treena would work with them, guiding them on the safest route through the property with Athena’s help.
The front team would move to the upper floor with Evander, using portals to check rooms for any keen scientists performing night-time experiments or pulling all-nighters in the labs. They were tasked with freeing anyone from the upper wards and getting them to the main level. Conrad’s team would move to rescue efforts on the lower wards. Small explosives would be placed throughout the building to be set off once all prisoners were retrieved. All shapeshifters and fairies were to carry tourmaline, so their energy expenditures wouldn’t set off any resonance detectors.
Once every detail was carefully covered, Gerarda recommended everyone fuel up and be ready to meet at three a.m. The rendezvous was an old field road, two farms over from the Wheadon property.
Evander offered to lead a prayer before they parted company. “As this time of action is upon us, we honor the power that has drawn us together. In the diversity of who we are, there is a unity of purpose; together we are strong. May the pain of our peoples, the suffering the Creator feels, be eased as we take these steps. May none be harmed, and many be healed. May we cross the barriers to begin again. May it be so.”
Everyone echoed, “May it be so.”
Gerarda directed Rebel to lead the team back to their van. Conrad encouraged them to get what sleep they could, so they’d be alert. Bernard wished them all well. Minds whirling, they briskly hiked back to the van. Rebel slipped out of the tunnel first, to check that all was clear. Brigid backed it up with a quick mental sweep of the area. Back in the van, they waved their goodbyes to Rebel and pulled away.
They devoured the sandwiches and food they’d packed as they discussed what had to be done. Quillon recommended they pack as if they wouldn’t be returning. Evander tried to keep the mood light by teasing Brigid and Symba about what they considered to be essentials. Quillon had extra knapsacks and sleeping bags for Matthias and Athena. They discussed the food they should include, and any extra stones or crystals, healing oils, herbs and teas, and weapons.
When they arrived back at the house, Symba threw a hearty stew into a slow cooker. It would be ready when they woke. Evander threw together fresh biscuits. Knapsacks and gear were sorted. Quillon cleared all the data and history from his computers and shut them down. Final preparations were completed, and everyone attempted to get some sleep.
Evander and Brigid allowed themselves a few precious moments to make love, unsure of what the next day would bring. Quillon wandered the rooms of his home, saying goodbye again to a place that was precious to him. Matthias finished reading his novel to help ease his mind to sleep. There would be no room for books in his pack. Treena moved her body through a short series of soothing stretches.
At two a.m., a loud noise jangled through the house. Hands swiped at alarm clocks. Tired groans emitted from sleep-deprived bodies. Quick showers and coffee stimulated wakefulness. Stew and biscuits were gulped down. A brief rinse of dishes was sufficient because Quillon had emailed Maddie to return in two days.
Nerves jangled as they piled into the van; they placed their knapsacks at their feet. As they pulled away, Brigid started humming the chorus Nicole had written for them. Gradually, the others joined in, adding the wo
rds. They finished strong:
“Mending together, loving forever, we are one.”
Athena spoke as the sound of the song died away. “Fending by myself for the last while, I gotta say, working together is a whole lot better. Thanks for finding me, bro!” She lightly punched Matthias on the arm.
Matthias playfully jabbed her back. “You’re welcome, brat!” Then, he became more serious. “Be careful out there, Athena.”
He turned to the rest. “That goes for all of you. I wouldn’t ever want you to go through what I did.”
Athena grabbed his hand and gave it a squeeze. Brigid placed her hand on Evander’s knee. Treena leaned her shoulder against Brigid. Symba placed her hand on top of Quillon’s. The connection seemed important.
The highway was quiet as they crisscrossed their way via back roads to their meeting place. Conrad and his people were already there. Quillon mentioned their knapsacks and Conrad sent two dwarfs to deliver them to the caves. The packs would be passed on into the tunnels for later. Quietly, Conrad gave a final review of their game plan and directed teams to their appointed places. The front team would drive the van to the front gates, as if they were lost and seeking directions. That would give time for Brigid to assess and act if needed. The others loaded up in jeeps to head to the back wall. It was time to enact their plan.
Quillon drove with Brigid in the front seat beside him. Adrenaline was running high. As they approached the gates, a guard walked out to the van. He was yawning, but still awake. Brigid did a quick scan. As with the guards during the rescue, there was a stimulant in his body. The sleeping draught had partially dampened its effect, but not totally. As Quillon rolled down the window, Brigid set to work flushing the stimulant out of his cells. Before he got to Quillon, the guard stumbled and slid to the ground. A wet stain spread over the front of his pants. As soon as she had flushed his cells, the sleeping draught took full effect. Brigid hoped he wouldn’t be too embarrassed when he awoke. Sending her mind onward, she sensed one more guard inside the guardhouse at the gate. He was asleep at his desk.
The Prophecy Page 27
