“We crammed til midnight, and Starla, ah Araina finished up her extra credit essay,” Molly said as we advanced towards the structure ahead.
“Did you find it, complex trying to put the pieces together without giving away specifics?” Kaya inquired.
“It was a tad unnerving, but I managed to play it safe,” I responded.
“Good, good, Cavin is meeting us along with Star. We’ll focus on Jenson learning various spells. Lance and Shellena pretty much have most of the spell stuff down pat. Although, with their abilities as wolf-vamps they can hold their own so to speak,” Kaya said as we moved along.
“Will Mike be here today?” I asked nearing the lodge door.
“Yes. He’ll be handing out the hot cocoa and donuts. You didn’t eat yet did you?” Nayla interjected.
“I had frosted Turbo rings, but I could eat a donut with chocolate frosting!” Molly said energetically. She opened the lodge door.
“How about you, Jenson?”
“I never turn down free donuts.”
Molly turned, shutting the door behind us.
Eyeing the conference room to the right, I noticed Mike had moved the large table out and mats had been placed on the floor. In front of us where he checked monitors sat a box of donuts and hot cocoa in paper cups.
He turned from the viewing area, “Hi guys, go ahead help yourselves to the goodies and warm up before you get started. Star and Cavin are on their way back from a perimeter check. It will just be a few minutes.”
Walking by we patted him on the back each taking a Dunker to dip in our cocoa. I took a seat adjacent to him on the bench and the others joined us.
“Yesterday was successful?” he asked Kaya.
“All of them did fairly well. The focus today has to be on Molly and Arianna’s self-defense skills. Jenson should be learning spells.”
“Araina?”
“Yes, that’s my given surname as a fox,” I replied with a mouth full of donut.
“I like it. It suits you quite well.” He took a sip from his coffee mug.
“Where’s Owl? Has anyone seen him?” Nayla observed.
“Not sure, strange. He didn’t tell me he wasn’t coming,” Jenson said.
“He’d better show up today,” she sighed, shaking out her fur in a frenzy. “If we’re attacked by the bandits or other enemies, we’ll need to make sure everyone knows the basics,” she said in a huff.
“He’ll be here, probably was just up late studying for Jones’s tests like the rest of us,” said Molly.
I finished up my last donut cake chunk with a bit of chocolate. Then threw out my napkin in the waste bucket below the monitors when a strange tickle gradually crawled up my arm. I pulled my shirt sleeve up. My paw print was glowing! Could it be, Cal? She talked to me this morning. Why would she be making it glow instead of speaking to me with thoughts?
Star marched into the room with Owl and Cavin in tow, “Araina, your tattoo!”
“And what am I supposed to do now?”
“Sit on the mats to meditate. It may possibly be important information.”
Quickly I entered the big room and sat in the middle of the mats cross-legged. Shutting my eyes, I turned inward, reflecting on what had materialized in my mind at daybreak.
“Concentrate on Thunderhead Bay; imagine a big body of water with a forest behind it. Afterward, put yourself in it, look for clues, listen for any signals, smell the air around you, and get your bearings. Then see if you can sense any of our tribe among you,” Star instructed.
The air blasted sharp against my face as I combed through the forest. Finally, a lake appeared on the outskirts, pines, oaks, and a few scattered fallen tree branches lay on the ground near a bush containing red berries, a perfect place for deer to munch.
Abruptly, a multitude of birds flew out of their nest towards me. I ducked out of their way just in time. I continued on, til the screeching of crows surprised me. I hit the ground once again covering my head. At least mentally I did. I couldn’t really be here, right? I was there, though, in my head, or maybe I’d traveled without my body. I shook it off moving deeper into the woods. It was getting darker in spite of the daylight behind me.
“Cal, you called to me this morning. Where are you? I need a location. Have you met up with the wolf clan allies? Do they know where you are?” I projected. I listened not only with my ears but my eyes and heart. Something was moving amongst the trees. It leaped behind them, hiding briefly, and shifted so fast I could barely see its form.
“Follow me,” it whispered.
Steadily I ran through the woods, passing trees trying to keep track of which way I had departed. I was losing sight of the shadow! Gah, I couldn’t lose Cal, not now! My whiskers pushed through my cheeks, ears sprouted into long pointy things, and my feet well they jutted out, and I took off straight into the trees. The shadow veered north, then northwest. I followed it until I reached the cave.
“Welcome,” it cooed at me. “Don’t be shy, come in. I’ve been waiting for you.”
My small fox frame shook as I enter the enclosure. I couldn’t tell what the entity was that sat in the corner, hunched over almost hidden. It sure as heck didn’t look like any of the Bandits to me! Cal and Nuria huddled together, holding each other for warmth. Why were they in their human form? What had happened to them?
“What is it, what’s going on? Why are you in human form? Both of you...” I uttered out loud.
“Bring them. We don’t have much time,” shrieked Nuria.
Damn, what was that protection spell? Freaking out, the last time I’d messed with spells had been ages ago and two had come from a lame documentary. “No time Starla-Araina...” I said to myself, pressing onward. I tried to get a better glimpse of the bizarre silhouette. It could be a hybrid wolf. I saw it had ears and pointy teeth. It glared at me with its lustrous eyes. Shiznit! I spun around accessing the cave.
Where was Minder? Was she dead, held Captive, had the note been a trick?
I screamed, “Gods of my clan! Surround Cal and Nuria in protection, push away the evil darkness with love and light. I’ll return with friends in tow. We’ll fight amongst the winter snow! Straightaway, I must go.”
Reversing back to the apparition I gave it my best sneer, and then sprung out into the forest towards the water.
“Breathe Starla, Breathe,” shouted Molly, petting the fur along my back.
My eyelids fluttered, and my paws grabbed the mat. “Oh, not this again!”
“You’re OK, just in fox form. I contacted your dad. He’s bringing you some clothes, no need to worry. We simply need to know what materialized,” said Star.
“I sense a location,” I stuttered.
“Alright, so we’ll deal with this first. Afterward, you’ll observe Lance, Owl, and Jenson with their Kali sticks. After hearing you on your quest, I’ve decided it best you be prepared as the men are. I can’t have you getting sucked into whatever it was you have seen without any combat experience,” Cavin instructed.
“You heard everything?”
“Most of it, you were outwardly vocal as you entered another territory or dimension,” Molly said, rubbing her arms.
It was a bit cold in here, even with my fox fur to shield me.
“How exactly did I change into a fox on my quest and here?” Had everyone seen me naked or just parts when I turned?
“Don’t be embarrassed. It’s happened to all of us, who can change shape,” said Star.
I nodded, glancing around to see everyone sitting down on the mats.
“Come on, up off of the pad,” said Jenson. I rose on all fours in my fox form letting him pull me into an embrace. “Now, tell us exactly what occurred before we start training.”
“Nuria and Cal are being held captive. I’m not sure what exactly happened to Minder. She wasn’t there at all unless...” I pulled away from Jenson, who was still hanging on to my furry fox body.
“Who is it, which bandit?” inquired Cavin.
&
nbsp; “It’s not a bandit. It’s something else. All I could make out were glowing eyes, pointy ears, and sharp teeth. It could have been a new breed for all I know,” I said, sighing. I stretched out my legs in a yoga position I once viewed on TV then sat on my hind legs.
“The location?” Kaya asked, trotting near me.
“Thunderhead Bay, is located near a body of water on the edge with forests behind it. I ran through the woods, not knowing where I was headed. I went north one way, near some berry bushes, then northwest soon after that. It’s still somewhat foggy. I didn’t just come across it myself. Something called out to me. A spirit, it wanted me to find them,” I said.
“Maybe it’s a trap,” Nayla pondered.
“Even if it is, how can we leave them there? I placed a protection charm on them. Not sure, how great it’ll work out,” I said. My ears perked up, eyes diverting to the entrance. My dad stood in the doorway.
“Mike,” he said, scanning the room. “Ah, everyone is here. Starla, is that you? I’m curious to hear your fox surname. What did I miss?”
“You have a lot to catch up on if you plan on attending this mission. I for one think it’s better if you let Araina do this on her own,” Cavin urged.
My dad shrugged, “Araina? That’s a good name. Is that what you want?”
I wasn’t sure what I wanted. Having my dad by my side wouldn’t be all that bad. He stood up for me when Mom said, ‘No, I don’t want her involved with the clan.’ Now neither of them really had a choice because I was in a deep snowbank trying to swim!
“We need as many able bodies as possible. I don’t believe anyone should be asked to opt out or be opted out,” I glowered at Cavin.
“Starla, ah Araina, is correct. Now we need to start instruction. Please allow her to get changed,” said Kaya, directing me to the bathroom.
Molly and the others gazed at me. How freaked out were they? I deliberated as Kaya nuzzled the door, shutting it behind us.
“You, OK? I wasn’t expecting you to go on your first vision quest, so soon,” she said.
“Yeah, a bit frazzled, especially when a bunch of birds flew out at me. It seemed so real. Was it?”
“It’s called astral travel. Your essence left your body traveling to where you were being called. It doesn’t happen too often for newbie’s. I’m quite impressed. You handled it superbly. What spell did you use?”
“Like I said, I’m not sure if it even worked. I got it from a documentary on witches, then I added to it.”
“Ah, let’s trust it holds for a few hours. I’ll talk to Cavin when we get back. We must expedite this assignment. We’ll possibly leave tonight.”
“Tonight,” I choked.
“Yes,” she answered, then started chanting.
“What, what are you doing?” I snapped. She leisurely walked around me.
“Helping you with the process, so you don’t have to panic to switch back,” she replied.
“Will I be on a need to know basis, for the rest of my life?”
Kaya chuckled, “You’ll adjust to our ways and how matters are managed as you work with us. We’ll be preparing you for such after this mission is dealt with. Then maybe, you won’t feel so left in the dark.”
Chapter 29
Transitioning wasn’t painful at all. In fact, it was rather quick compared to the last few occasions. Kaya, now in her human form opened the door. Peering into the room, I discovered the boys had gathered large sticks from a black trunk. Cavin motioned us to join them.
“I see your back to your human self,” said Nayla, sitting amongst the others.
“Hey, Araina, why don’t you, and Molly come over here? We’ll show you the proper way to hold these bamboo sticks. Then teach you some moves that could save our hides,” chided Lance.
Jenson winked at me, then formed a short side swing at Lance, who stopped his move with a swipe of his stick, catching it in mid-swing, in the air.
“You have to be a bit faster than that, Jenson,” he snickered.
Owl strutted over to him and they began to battle in a similar manner. Jenson warded him off, pushing Owl’s stick up against his throat.
“Mercy, I give up!” he screeched, backing up into the wall.
Jenson backed away, “Sorry bro, just attempting to get out some aggression, learn a few things. No hard feelings?”
“None, why don’t you pair up with Araina, ah Starla, and I’ll pair up with Molly. We’ll start there.
“Call me Araina, when I’m with my clan. Outside it, though, I prefer Starla, you see it’s kind of like a secret society. That is, unless we can convince the uber villains they should join our side,” I said smugly.
Molly stood up, “Right over here, then Owl?”
“Yes, over here by me. I’ll show you how to clutch the Kali stick. You see how I’m gripping it?”
Molly and I nodded, making a note of it in our heads.
Once, she joined him on the mat Owl put the stick in Molly’s hand. She ran her hands upward where she’d seen him place his.
“Good, that’s great. Now watch Lance and I exhibit sparring. He was showing off a bit earlier with Jenson,” said Owl.
We stood back as Cavin shouted out each move.
“Let’s see it boys, short stick, long stick, mid-stick, and again!” Cavin hollered. They cycled over it about five times before they would even let us try. Nayla placed some protective gear out for us to use.
“We’ll be armored in combat?” I asked and picked up the elbow and knee pads.
“It wasn’t the plan, but I urge you to use them. The boys didn’t think I’d make them wear these. I was reluctant due to it restricting them in battle, but after what you experienced it would be best.”
Molly and I put on the equipment. I paired up with Jenson, and she again joined Owl.
“OK, now take it slow; follow your leader as he has experience. Go!” shouted Cavin.
I jumped forward moving my stick towards Jenson’s. I pushed him back then he pushed me. It was similar to a game until one of us ended up with either a stick near our throats or backed up against a wall.
I couldn’t see Molly, but I could hear her. It sounded as if she was doing better than I.
“Molly, keep-at-it, you have him cornered! Now one of the clan members who is not involved would run up, and take him from behind. We’d use the cuffs. The goal is to take these guys in alive,” requested Star, clapping her hands together.
The sparring went on for a few hours before Nayla called it. She claimed we had to get things packed up quickly.
“I realize we haven’t had time for magic, or to teach counter spells. Here,” she said, handing Jenson a book. “All of you need to look this over. I suggest you go, see this Jones character. You almost certainly won’t be back on time for that mythology test. Find out if you can get an extension. If he’s at all connected with our clan, maybe he’ll reveal something more than, what he has previously, got it?”
“Got it,” I said. I helped Lance pick up the sticks that lay in a pile. I handed them to him, missing one. It fell onto the floor next to me.
“We won’t have a problem will we?”
“What problem?” he asked.
“Are you and Jenson good? I need you to be for the clan’s sake. I can’t have you off sparring against one another. Well, because he,” I said, pointing to Jenson “thinks you like-like me,” I stated.
“For now, we’re cool,” he replied.
“OK, make sure it stays that way,” I said, aiming the stick at him before placing the last one back in the trunk. I took my coat off the rack, putting it on, then my gloves, mittens, and hat. I’d always be sassy, a bit quirky so learning to play, no, to be the leader was imperative to our survival. I had to pay attention to my peers. I could get a bit arrogant, not always my strong suit but hey...
“You ready to take off?” Dad asked.
“Are you guys ready to face Jones?”
“Seriously, you’re acting as if it’s a
takedown. Not a meeting with our professor,” said Molly, easing on her coat and buttoning it up.
“True, but I never anticipated when I moved here I’d gain a whole new family. My world is full of super fun surprises, why, stop here?” I asked them.
Lance smirked at my comment. Cavin held his lips together, trying not to laugh, Nayla and Kaya didn’t seem amused, Star stood quietly, and Owl pulled me aside. The ranger well, I didn’t know where he was.
“Playing with fire little lady?”
I shrugged, “It’s what I’ve always done best, why, quit now?”
“Let’s go, Dan, are you coming with us,” Owl asked.
“Yeah, I’m right behind you.”
“Where’s Mike,” I asked.
“Left, he had to retrieve some paperwork from the police station. It’s a few blocks from here. There are details that must be added to Lang Orion’s file. Nothing, for you to worry about,” spoke up Cavin.
“OK,” I stated, shifting my foot from side to side.
“It’s alright, you can go, just be back here by seven p.m. tonight. That gives you five hours to get it together. It’s almost two o’clock, go before I get upset. If we can pull this off we can pull anything off as a team,” he said motioning for us to leave.
We hurried out into the frigid cold afternoon. Maybe we should walk, the college was merely a few blocks away. Molly, Jenson, and Owl trailed behind my dad and me. He took my hand as if I was still his little girl. What might be racing through his mind at this very moment? How were he and mom doing? Did I dare ask him? No, not now we needed to get this Jones stuff dealt with.
Chapter 30
On our way to locate Jones, we shuffled through the newly fallen snow. A part of me believed he might help us. Was it possible I, was being silly to even, consider him part of this, fiasco?
“He might not even be in his office today. You’re aware that he changed class to Friday for a reason,” hollered Jenson, catching up with me. Molly moved alongside him, keeping pace.
Almost there, only a block more to go, I thought.
“I’m not sure, but his office hours in our syllabus say he’s available Monday to Friday from two p.m. to four p.m. perhaps, we can catch him. Otherwise, I guess we just miss the test. What choice do we have?” I insisted.
Myth (Book 1) Page 23
