Energy - Awakening

by MJ Schutte

  Lilian got a sly smile on her face.

  ‘So, little sister, is there some reason you asked these questions?’ she asked innocently.

  Adri’s face went a little red.

  ‘Uh…no…not really,’ she stammered.

  ‘Looks to me like there is a reason and he is searching for vegetables at the moment,’ Lilian teased.

  Adri got a pensive look on her young face.

  ‘Well, maybe. In the cave when Brighton brought me back from the spirit world all I could think of was to see Brac’s face again. Does that mean I’m in love with him?’ Adri replied.

  ‘Only you can answer that,’ Lilian told the younger woman.

  Chapter 28

  JOEL RETURNED EARLY the next morning. After a quick greeting, he sat down and with a serious look on his face started talking to the group.

  ‘You will have to be very careful. Rumours have started in town about four demons that crossed the boundary. I am ashamed to admit that my own son is the one spreading these ridiculous stories,’ he said gravely.

  Brighton thought for a moment and said, ‘We don’t want to make any trouble. Perhaps it’s best we move on as quickly as possible.’

  Joel shook his head.

  ‘You are going to run into this kind of trouble no matter where you go. I have a better idea: Less than half a day’s travel west of the garrison that guards the pass to the Dark Land is a town called Fenton. My sister and her husband live there. I will take you to them and explain the situation. They will help you become part of the community,’ Joel suggested.

  Brighton thought about it for a moment before he said, ‘That sounds like a good plan but why would you do this for us?’

  ‘You look like good people. There is no reason you should be shunned because of silly superstitions. Besides, it is our belief that all good deeds get rewarded in the afterlife,’ Joel answered.

  ‘Thank you Joel, you’re a good man,’ Brighton replied.

  ‘There are a few things you will need. First, here is some money,’ Joel said as he pulled five gold coins from his pocket and held it out to Brighton.

  ‘Joel, I couldn’t possibly take your money,’ Brighton objected.

  ‘Take it, you will need it,’ Joel said as he placed the coins in Brighton’s hand.

  ‘Thank you. Someday I will repay this,’ Brighton said gratefully.

  Joel waved it off.

  ‘Now remember, ten silver coins make one gold coin. Twenty five bronze coins are equal to one silver coin,’ he reminded them.

  Brighton nodded as he put the money in his pocket.

  ‘Next, you will need a surname. Brighton, since you and Lilian are married and Adri is your sister, you will all have the same family name. Brac will have to choose something else,’ Joel advised them.

  Brighton had no idea what a good surname would be.

  Joel saw the uncertainty on his face and quickly said, ‘I’m assuming the towns in the Dark Land have names. Where do you come from?’

  ‘A place called Four Mountains. No wait, the real name is Clareton,’ Brighton answered.

  ‘That’s a good surname. Brighton, Lilian and Adri Clareton,’ Joel declared.

  ‘And don’t forget Thomas and Clarissa Clareton,’ Lilian added.

  Brac smiled and said, ‘I guess that makes me Brac Brasten.’

  ‘Brac Brasten. That’s funny!’ Adri giggled.

  Joel got up and said, ‘You should get going as soon as possible. The road to Fenton is a short walk to the west.’

  Brighton didn’t like the idea of travelling on a road; he preferred to stay hidden in the woods.

  ‘We’ll travel through the forest,’ he told Joel.

  Joel shook his head and said, ‘It will arouse suspicion. Everybody uses the roads, you should too.’

  Brighton saw the logic in what Joel was saying so he didn’t argue any further.

  Joel climbed on his horse and said, ‘I’ll catch up with you later.’

  ‘Well, let’s pack up and go,’ Brighton sighed.

  They were only travelling for a short while when Joel joined them again. He was driving a wagon pulled by a big, strong looking horse. His own horse was following behind; its reins tied to the wagon’s railing.

  ‘A good friend of mine agreed to lend us his wagon for the trip to Fenton,’ he said cheerfully as he stopped next to the group.

  ‘That’s kind of him. I’m getting tired of all this walking,’ Lilian replied as she climbed on.

  Brighton handed Thomas to her then held Clarissa so Adri could climb on. As soon as the women and children were settled, they continued the journey. Brac and Brighton walked next to the wagon while Joel drove.

  ‘Brighton, you and Brac should join me up here. I’ll teach you how to use the reins,’ Joel invited them.

  Brac immediately shoved Brighton towards the wagon and said, ‘You go first.’

  ‘Why? Are you scared?’ Adri teased him.

  ‘I prefer the term “careful”,’ Brac played along.

  Brighton hopped onto the front seat of the wagon.

  Joel handed him the reins and said, ‘Treat the horse like you treat a woman. If you’re harsh and demanding you will only make trouble for yourself. Be gentle and they will do almost anything for you.’

  Brighton laughed and looked back at Lilian.

  ‘Is that true my love?’ he asked her.

  She fluttered her eyelids, pouted her lips, and said, ‘I’ll do anything for you my love.’

  Mimicking Lilian, Adri also fluttered her eyelids and said, ‘Oh Bri, I’ll do anything for you.’

  This brought a roar of laughter from Brac.

  Adri turned to him, fluttered her eyelids some more and said, ‘You too Brac Brasten. Your wish is my command!’

  Brac doubled over with laughter.

  ‘I might just hold you to that Adri,’ he stammered between laughing fits.

  Adri looked at Brac closely and said, ‘That’s the first time you didn’t call me “Miss Adri”.’

  Brac stopped laughing and quickly said, ‘I’m sorry Miss Adri. I didn’t mean any disrespect.’

  She smiled at him and said, ‘Please don’t apologize, I like it when you call me Adri.’

  Brac gave her a smile and echoed her earlier words, ‘Your wish is my command, Adri.’

  For the next three days, the group travelled without any trouble. Both Brighton and Brac quickly learnt how to drive a wagon and even took turns riding Joel’s horse. Brac looked uncomfortable on the animal but Brighton was a natural. Joel didn’t even have to give him instructions; he simply climbed on and instinctively knew what to do.

  Lilian also learnt how to ride a horse but Adri decided it was far safer on the back of the wagon.

  ‘You’re a big baby,’ Brac laughed at her.

  ‘That may be, but when you fall off that animal and break your neck don’t come crying to me,’ Adri retorted.

  Brighton and Lilian were walking behind the wagon.

  Quietly, so that Joel couldn’t hear, Lilian asked, ‘Can you sense Mischief?’

  ‘No, the last time I felt his presence was two days ago. Just before he went missing, I did sense another animal close to him. I can’t be sure but it felt a lot like a female panther,’ Brighton replied.

  With a wide smile Lilian said, ‘Mischief found a girlfriend. That’s good; he is a wild animal after all and needs to be with his own kind.’

  ‘I know, but I will miss him. He must have decided we’re safe now and it’s time to get on with his own life,’ Brighton sighed.

  Lilian picked up her pace and hopped onto the wagon to check on the twins. Adri and Brac were feeding them berries again.

  ‘Did they eat their vegetables?’ Lilian enquired.

  ‘Uh…yes,’ Brac answered avoiding eye contact.

  Lilian looked at Adri but the younger woman also refused to look her in the eye.

  ‘You two are a bad influence on my children!’ Lilian complained.

&
nbsp; ‘Yes mother,’ Brac and Adri replied together, looked at each other, and burst out laughing.

  ‘Maybe I should go relieve Joel,’ Brac said when he caught his breath.

  He climbed to the front of the wagon.

  Holding out his hand he said softly to Joel, ‘Feed the twins this, they will love you forever!’

  Joel looked down at the red berries in Brac’s hand. He handed Brac the reins, took the sweet treats, and climbed to the back.

  Brighton untied Joel’s horse from the back of the wagon. Before he hopped on, he checked the hooves and reins like Joel had taught him. Quickly he caught up to the wagon.

  Brac gestured for him to come closer. When Brighton was next to him, he checked to see if Joel was paying attention. Seeing that the old man was far too busy buying the twins’ love with berries he pointed down the road.

  Brighton nodded and held up eight fingers. He gestured towards Joel.

  Brac caught his meaning and said, ‘Joel, there seems to be people in the road up ahead.’

  Joel quickly jumped up and peered down the road.

  ‘Stop,’ he said softly.

  When Brac didn’t bring the wagon to a halt immediately Joel repeated the instruction more urgently. Brac finally got the horse to respond and the wagon stopped.

  ‘Joel, do you know these people?’ Brighton asked calmly.

  He could see the fear on the old man’s face.

  ‘Yes, everybody knows them,’ Joel whispered.

  ‘Who are they?’ Brighton prodded.

  ‘A gang of robbers,’ Joel replied.

  ‘Are you sure? They could simply be some travellers,’ Brighton tried.

  Joel shook his head.

  ‘No, look how they have deliberately blocked the road. Their intention is to stop anyone that comes past and rob them,’ Joel explained.

  ‘Should we turn around?’ Brac asked.

  Brighton already knew it wasn’t an option but he kept quiet.

  It was Joel that answered, ‘They probably have four or five men behind us cutting off the escape route.’

  Brighton knew it was four, he sensed them long ago.

  ‘Stay here, I’ll go have a look,’ he said to the others.

  Joel started protesting but Brighton had already swung the horse around and went back the way they came. As he rode past the wagon, he leaned over and grabbed one of the walking sticks. He kept using his sense, partly to find the four men behind them and partly to make sure the others were not closing in.

  A short while later he returned.

  ‘There were four men behind us,’ he announced.

  Brac just smiled, he knew the four men wouldn’t be bothering them any time soon.

  ‘Did you…’ Lilian started but Brighton cut her off.

  ‘Their heads are going to hurt for a long time,’ he said wagging the walking stick in the air.

  ‘Now let me go and have a talk with those gentlemen,’ he said pointing to the men in front of them.

  ‘You’re built like an oak tree but going up against eight armed men is just stupid,’ Joel protested.

  ‘I’ll be fine,’ Brighton answered as he rode off.

  He stopped about twenty paces before he reached the men and dismounted. He tied the horse to a tree and casually strolled forward.

  ‘Good day gentlemen,’ he greeted with a smile.

  The leader of the gang looked puzzled.

  ‘The line between bravery and stupidity is a thin one. It seems you just crossed it,’ he growled at Brighton.

  Brighton ignored the comment and said, ‘My friend seems to think you are here to do us harm. I can not believe this so I decided to come ask.’

  Still the leader looked a bit confused.

  ‘I’ll tell you what, leave your money, the horses and those two women with us and we might let you live,’ he replied.

  Brighton fished a gold coin out of his pocket and flicked it at the man.

  ‘That is all the money I have, we still need the horses and if you touch the women it will be the last thing you ever touch,’ he said softly.

  ‘You’re definitely stupid! Can’t you see you’re outnumbered?’ the leader spat at Brighton.

  Still smiling Brighton said, ‘We have a long journey ahead of us. Let us pass and I won’t hurt you.’

  The men all burst out laughing.

  ‘Hurt us?’ howled the leader. ‘You’ve lost your marbles!’

  Brighton shrugged and said, ‘Last chance.’

  The leader lifted a long curved sword and pointed it at Brighton.

  ‘Just because you’re so arrogant I will make you watch as I take those two women,’ he snarled.

  The walking stick flashed through the air. In a single motion Brighton knocked the sword sideways and landed a crushing blow on the man’s temple. He dropped the sword and staggered back holding his head.

  Brighton moved forward. He danced through the men like a shadow. Every time someone thrust a sword in his direction it was just a little too late. He avoided the sharp edges with ease while his walking stick found its mark with every swing. Men went down howling in pain, some holding their heads and others clutching at their knees and elbows. In mere moments Brighton was the only man standing. He pushed the end of the walking stick down on the leader’s throat.

  ‘Give me a reason not to kill you,’ he growled at the man.

  ‘Please, I beg you,’ the man sobbed.

  Brighton pressed down on the stick until the man was struggling to breathe.

  ‘If I ever see you again, I will kill you,’ he said softly.

  Without waiting for an answer he turned around and walked back to the horse. He sensed one of the men get up and charge forward. An arrow sped past his head. The assailant instantly dropped to his knees clutching at the arrow in his throat.

  It was Adri who shot with such deadly accuracy. Brighton untied the horse and walked back to the wagon. Brac was sitting on the front casually scratching under a fingernail for some imaginary dirt with a knife. Brighton gave Adri a little wink and a smile as thanks for her assistance. She smiled back at him and put the bow down.

  ‘Shall we go?’ Brighton suggested.

  Joel looked from face to face. Nobody looked the least bit worried or flustered.

  As Brac got the wagon going again Brighton asked, ‘Joel, what are marbles? That fellow seems to think I’ve lost mine but I’m sure I’ve never even had any.’

  The group reached Joel’s sister’s house without any further trouble. An elderly couple was sitting on the porch.

  ‘Nicky, Peter, how good to see you again!’ Joel called from the wagon.

  He jumped off and rushed into his sister’s arms.

  ‘It’s good to see you too, big brother,’ Nicky said as she hugged him as tight as she could.

  Brighton was slightly surprised that Joel was older than Nicky; she looked much more frail than he did.

  Joel looked Peter square in the eyes.

  ‘So, Peter, have you made my little sister pregnant?’ he asked with a serious face.

  Without batting an eyelid Peter answered, ‘I’m still trying but you keep barging in here!’

  The two burst out laughing and gave each other slaps on the back.

  Joel remembered why he was there.

  ‘Nicky, Peter, I want you to meet some friends of mine.’

  He introduced Brighton, Lilian, Brac and Adri to the older people. Nicky and Peter were both immediately besotted with the twins. Without asking they each took a baby and started making funny noises and faces at them.

  ‘What are their names?’ Peter asked.

  ‘Clarissa and Thomas,’ Lilian replied with a smile.

  ‘Beautiful names for beautiful children,’ Nicky said with tears in her eyes.

  Brighton tugged on Joel’s shirt and softly asked, ‘Joel, what was that about Peter making Nicky pregnant? Aren’t they a bit old for that?’

  Joel laughed and said, ‘Peter, tell Brighton about the first time
we met.’

  Peter sat down and gestured for the others to do the same.

  As soon as everybody was seated he said, ‘When Nicky was eighteen and I was thirty three we fell in love. One day, when we thought we were alone in Nicky’s parent’s house, things got very passionate. We were in Nicky’s bedroom, naked as the day we were born when Joel walked in on us. He was furious! The first thing he screamed at me was “Have you made my little sister pregnant?”. A few months later it transpired that Nicky was in fact pregnant. Her parents didn’t want anything to do with us; they said we had brought a terrible shame over their family. Joel had seen how much we loved each other and he organized for us to get married and come live in Fenton. Ever since then he always asks me the same thing when we see each other: “Have you made my little sister pregnant?’

  Brighton had trouble believing that Peter was fifteen years older than Nicky; they looked roughly the same age to him.

  Lilian leaned over to Nicky, and asked, ‘How many children do you have?’

  The old woman’s smile disappeared as she said, ‘We had one but he died at a very young age.’

  ‘I’m sorry,’ Lilian replied.

  ‘Don’t be, it was years ago. Just promise me you will look after these two little angels well.’ Nicky replied.

  Lilian nodded and smiled at the older woman.

  With a serious look on his face Joel said to Peter and Nicky, ‘I’ve come to ask you a big favour. Brighton and his group are from the other side of the boundary and they want to make a new life for themselves here.’

  Peter quickly waved his hand in the air and said, ‘Say no more Joel, they are welcome in our house.’

  Brighton was taken aback by how quickly Peter made up his mind.

  ‘Aren’t you going to ask if we’re demons?’ he said to Peter.

  ‘No need. If Joel calls you a friend, then I call you a friend,’ Peter replied.

  ‘That’s very kind of you,’ Brighton replied.

  Nicky got up and told Lilian and Adri to follow her.

  She went inside and showed Lilian a room.

  ‘You, Brighton and your gorgeous children may have this room,’ the old woman said.