Magic Invitation: Kalendra Chronicles Book One
Page 15
Tahendra and Kassara instinctively touched their Moon Catcher stones together while they placed their hands on the meridian stone. The space lit brightly. Sylvia pulled out the green stone, and it glowed in her hands. They all knelt to hold the calming stones together with the meridian stone. The group infused the healing energy of the soothing stones into the damaged meridian. Ivy used her staff and with a bright flash through the healing stones they saw the crack dissolve and the meridian heal. Kassara and Tahendra heard Sohm’s voice in their heads.
“Ah. Oh, thank you. That’s good. This one meridian is healed. Many to go, but this helps. A jolt of strength has come into her system,” he announced.
Tahendra heard the Shaman Moon’s voice softly say, “Thank you.”
Kassara, Tahendra, Ivy, Sylvia, Walenda, and the wolves breathed a collective sigh of relief. They had repaired the first meridian.
“Like lightening Shantini and Jetson,” Sylvia said, “We might make it to the Full Moon Ceremony.”
Again, the Ancient Wolf Trail opened and delivered them back to the Gabriella Passage in the low saddle of the mountain. They raced over the mountain pass with a renewed sense of pride knowing that as a group they could heal the meridians. They knew they could save Kalendra. Their impromptu crew had been enough. The healing stones had worked.
The Shaman Moon would be stronger.
Chapter 29
Tahendra stood in awe of the gathering clouds. She could feel the cold air enter her lungs. It felt like a substance she couldn’t place as if she was breathing pure anticipation. The Moonbridge led to another world. Bushwhacking on clouds. She would get there with her eyes closed more easily than with them open. No map. No worries. She smiled.
Kassara stared. How is this possible? Despite her puzzled feelings about the logistics, she was ready. Her quad muscles felt rejuvenated. Her feet wanted to dance. The last twenty-four hours were probably the most demanding of her life. So much had happened from the moment she woke up on that freezing stone. This approach to life was new for Kassara. Even a week ago she’d have wanted information nailed down and solid.
Tahendra stood and looked over the clouds. She felt like she could follow a golden thread to any destination she put her mind on. As she stood atop the ridge, looking across the sea of clouds, she knew no map would guide her now. This was a land of the inner mind, not of place. She knew this was the route to the ancients she’d heard about.
“I welcome you all to the Full Moon Ceremony,” Kelne said.
Beacon and Kelne both looked stately and well cared for. In the middle of the circle, Shannon, Sylvia, Presence, and Walenda stood together. These were the women of the Outer Plateau Lands and the Blue Cliff Basin. They were here to escort the travelers into another part of Kalendra that was more difficult to navigate. They hadn’t seen Shannon since the cave near Beacon’s Village. She was crossing the Moonbridge with them, helping to heal the damage caused by her father, Charles, and the Chancellor.
“Kassara,” Marty called. He came running over to her, and the two hugged.
“Oh, thank goodness you made it here, Kassara. I was worried when I heard about the Blue Montis bed. How are you?” Marty asked as he stood back to admire her. “I thought you were ...
“Did you hear the rumors?” Marty continued. “One said that Charles killed one of the earthlings. It served her right. Apparently, it was a circus. The Grizzled Queen was so embarrassed to be found asleep when Charles arrived, she pointed to the dark-haired girl’s grave as proof of her productivity. Even Charles knew not to question the Grizzled Queen because, of course, she was always right. He was satisfied and appreciative. She offered him raspberry tarts and tea.”
“Marty, I can hear Sohm, Tahendra’s moon brother,” said Kassara. “He came to me. He said the Blue Montis bed made me stronger. Have you ever heard of such a thing? He said he can train me now.”
“Interesting,” Marty said. “I must learn more. I can cure the poison of the Blue Montis, and yet I don’t know the stone’s other qualities.”
“You’re crossing?” Kassara asked. “You said every time.”
“Well, sometimes I have a reason to stay on one side,” he said. “I exaggerated a little.”
“Are you returning tonight?” Kassara said.
“Yes, I am. I will be with you on the other side. I need to keep an eye on you earthlings, don’t you think? We don’t want any more dead ones in the Bog.” He smiled broadly, and the two laughed.
The wolves dutifully circled around the four travelers. Together, the wolf pups howled at the moon. They paced around the group. Sylvia’s youngest wolf pup sat next to Tahendra and encouraged her to relax and feel safe. Tahendra pet the small wolf nervously. She took a deep breath and looked in the young pup’s eyes. Then she smiled and gave the pup a huge hug.
Sylvia and Kris arrived. They looked like they’d just strolled down the hill from dinner the other night, as if no time had passed at all, except for a wardrobe change. Sylvia wore a beautiful yellow dress with white accents, and Kris was in a light tweed suit. He looked dapper. Tahendra ran over to welcome them to the ceremony. She looked into Kris’s eyes.
“I heard,” he said. “How did you escape?”
“We’re lucky the Blue Montis doesn’t hurt Kassara. Maureen got us out of there, with the help of Sylvia’s wolves,” Tah said looking to Sylvia. “Thank you. We couldn’t have done it without both of you. Now I understand Maureen’s strategy. She kept us safe from Charles and Joe in the village, except for that little bit of poison.”
Chapter 30
Beacon gathered people around him. Sylvia and Walenda nodded to Jasmine as she slipped in nearly unnoticed. Kris joined Tahendra, Kassara, Sam, and Jaime.
“We’re gathered here because we honor the many cycles of our moons,” Beacon began. “The motto of the moon children is, do no harm. We step toward solidarity with this guiding principle. Today is a happy occasion because the Shaman Moon joins us on this night of the moons. They have not shared full moon together for seventeen years. All three moons move independently, you see.
The last triple full moon was an auspicious event,” Beacon said. “On that night, a young girl was born near the Tatosh meridian. If you are not familiar, it’s in the Black Hills. Tonight, the Shaman Moon is full again. For that reason, I am so proud to introduce someone to you. Kelne and Tahendra, please step forward and face one another.”
Kelne and Tahendra did as they were told. The crowd stood as witness.
“First,” Kelne said, “I would like to acknowledge everyone gathered here tonight for this auspicious ceremony of the moons. I am proud of all our travelers. Thank you for helping us learn the causes of the damage to our moons. And for finding a way to begin repairing the meridians. Without your speed and dedication, this would not be possible. We would not be standing together for this momentous occasion.”
Kelne bowed deeply to the four.
“Our travelers have been led fearlessly by the One who was born on the last triple full moon. We are so grateful you are here. Without any memory of her first six years, Tahendra has passed many tests already. Torn away from a loving family at six, everyone’s hearts were broken. I was grateful she had the opportunity to grow up where she did and proud when I saw this fine young woman return as an outsider,” he paused.
“When I came to Earth to deliver Tahendra to her Earth mother Sue, I met Jaime.” He nodded toward Jaime in acknowledgement. “Uncle Kris introduced me to you as Mr. Kelly.”
“I remember you,” Jaime said in astonishment.
“I gave Tahendra one assignment. I asked her to become an excellent judge of character, to recognize honesty and to make friends with people who kept their word.”
Kelne turned to the crowd. He spread his arms out to present Kassara, Sam, and Jaime.
The crowd cheered for them.
“I can never thank you enough, Tahendra. What an incredible team you brought here. You filled the order magnificently. I ap
preciate each of these amazing people. Sam, Jaime, Kassara, thank you for choosing Tahendra as your friend and for trusting Kris Campbell.”
Kelne then walked back over to Tahendra, where he could face her directly. Beacon stood, facing them.
“In this ceremony, Tahendra,” Kelne said, “I release you. When you were six, I had no choice. In my judgment I had to place a memory charm on you so would not know Kalendra. Now that you understand this land, I want to restore those memories. You may regain knowledge and skill from the six-year-old girl you once were. I believe she has a lot to teach you right now.
“It brings me so much pleasure to introduce all the wonderful people—and wolves,” Kelne said, looking at the four wolf pups who accompanied the travelers, “to my grandniece Tahendra.”
A puzzled look crossed her face. She stood tall. Sam and Jaime looked to one another in surprise. Kelne reached high in the air with his crystal staff. It glowed and lit their faces. Kelne very gently touched the top of Tahendra’s head with the glowing tip of his staff. Then he knelt on the ground before her.
“Please, my dear Tah, forgive me. I had no choice.”
Tahendra looked down at Kelne as he knelt, completely puzzled. She reached out her hands and motioned for him to stand back up with her.
“I-I know you. I mean, from before. We played games and had stories. We were happy together.” She paused, then met Kelne’s eyes. “Where did people go?”
“Unfortunately, many were wiped out, which is why Kris and I took you to safety.” Kelne said. Kris looked over in surprise. Kelne winked at him and flashed his staff in Kris’s direction. Kris received his memory from the day they moved Tahendra to Earth.
Tah looked at her three friends, remembering the day she left Kalendra.
“I wouldn’t give my Earth life up for the world. Look who you brought into my life, Kelne. I wouldn’t change a thing.” Tahendra looked directly into her granduncle’s eyes. “Thank you for taking me to live on Earth, so I grew up next door to Jaime. I’m so glad you did.”
Tahendra gave Kelne a hug. Tears ran down their cheeks as they held each other.
Tahendra, Kassara, Jaime, and Sam stood together. In the clouds of the Full Moon Ceremony, they had a large group hug. They’d been through mental puzzles and scared to the core in this crazy new world. That was how Kalendra had received them.
Delighted by the Maiden of the Forest and terrified by the Grizzled Queen, they liked this world and knew they’d only just begun. They were ready to step into more of their magic together.
The four travelers stood beneath the Gabriella Passage on high cliffs that jutted into the clouds. They still had no training to cross the Moonbridge, yet they were required to run on clouds from the Gabriella Passage to the Outer Plateaus during this full moon.
I’m surrounded by friends and family, Tahendra thought. She loved her mom on
Earth, Sue, and wouldn’t change a thing about her life. She was satisfied that she’d lived well. Tahendra had sensed something was off. Now she understood. Her efforts to forgive feelings of loneliness and shame in the Waterlands had stirred questions about her life, and resolved enough to help her find her magic.
Kelne had done well. He’d protected her from Charles. Her inability to recognize the Blue Montis at Joe’s saved her life in the Bog. The Grizzled Queen didn’t give her a second look.
“We could be the Moon Sisters,” Kassara suggested.
Tahendra nodded. “I like that. One from Kalendra and the other from Earth. Moon Sisters, it is.”
The two smiled at one another. Kassara and Tahendra had come a long way together.
Tahendra thought back to the day she met Kassara. They’d each waited for a ride outside the coliseum after an all-city assembly. Cars filled. Friends waved as they drove past, but none stopped to pick them up. They were left standing outside an empty coliseum in a rundown, dangerous neighborhood. The two twelve-year-old strangers turned to one another knowing they’d be safer getting home together. That was the beginning of Tahendra and Kassara’s golden friendship. They had each other’s back since.
Now the two friends, Moon Sisters, stood atop the cloud-covered plateau. Their next adventure would begin by running across a bridge made of clouds. The four wolves checked on their earthlings. They allowed their charges to pet and thank them.
Together the wolves rose, signaling it was time.
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About the Author
Barbara is the author of the four-book series, Kalendra Chronicles, releasing spring 2021.
Her first career was producing television in LA. Before that she made an independent film in rural Nepal, while trekking through the Himalayan foothills.
The fictional world of Kalendra was created by painting the fantasy world’s locations, characters, and props while developing character profiles, the magic system, and stories.
The first series is now complete. Kalendra Chronicles is available spring 2021. You can enjoy wild and crazy adventures in the books and enjoy the art on her website.
www.barbaraferrier.com
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