Fear of Mystics (Saga of Mystics Book 2)

by Chris Walters

There was silence for a moment. “They used to tell stories about him, when I was in ROTC.”

  With a note of surprise, Ted asked, “Really?”

  “Yes,” Eric replied, thinking back to some memory he wasn’t sharing. “He was a legend still, even in the eighties. Five Bronze Stars, two Silver Stars, a Distinguished Service Cross, and NO purple hearts. They say they would have given him the Medal of Honor if he had ever even got a scratch in the jungle.”

  Ted listened intently. He had heard stories also, vague recollections that sounded absurd from old soldiers who didn’t wish to remember that war. Pike was the person most prepared for this time. He had always been a close up fighter, preferring his knife to a gun. But he had seen his share of death, and wanted no part of it any longer.

  Eric continued, “That doesn’t even count the Martial Arts community. He was known nationwide, before I was even born. He received a black belt at the age of fifteen, back when it wasn’t common. He taught movie stars, kickboxers and rock legends. He was a god as far as my teen friends were concerned.”

  Ted smiled, “As his student, I sort of thought he was also.”

  “It was what I was most envious of about you and Ward.” Eric answered, and Ted was completely taken aback by his honesty. “You got to learn at the feet of a true Master.”

  “You always seemed dismissive of our martial art.” Ted responded.

  “It was envy, that’s all. You were both good soldiers, I know that now.”

  They rode in silence for some time, as Ted tried to take in what he had just been told. Had this man grown so much, that at his age, he actually had self-awareness? It was hard to fathom. He had known Eric Fine for a very long time.

  The snow had only fallen lightly, so they were lucky in that regard. As far as they could tell, they would not see another storm until after Christmas, maybe next week. Ted wished he had been able to convince Mickey, Brandon and Theo to stay with them. Theo’s ability allowed him to forecast weather, which was a valuable commodity these days. Ted sincerely hoped this wouldn’t take long. He really wanted to be with his family for Christmas.

  “How far is their camp?” Eric asked.

  “We don’t have far to go,” Ted answered, “Scouts tell me they are coming to us.”

  “That’s convenient.” Eric muttered.

  “We will see.” Ted answered, and rode on.

  CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

  “I should go.” She said, with a sadness that Kyle couldn’t shake away.

  He loved Maxine so much. He always had. But, in the months of living close together, he and his young cousin had become very close. They had bonded over the growth of their powers, and he was one of the few people she could talk to about her concerns. She was definitely concerned now.

  “What are you talking about?” He asked her, “Where would you go, kid?”

  “I don’t know. Into the mountains, north, south, does it matter?” She asked him exasperated.

  “Of course it matters, you are twelve years old!” Kyle’s voice raised a little, but his cousin just cocked an eyebrow in the slightest way and tilted her head to the side. It was shocking not only how much the dogs exhibited parts of her personality, but how she occasionally exhibited parts of theirs. Certain looks, certain movements, were just very canine. This was one.

  “If you are afraid for me, you shouldn’t be,” Max offered. “I am the safest person around.”

  “Of course you are, but what about us?” Kyle countered. Smiling a warm smile, he added, “You are one of the reasons we are so safe here. Why, do you think you need to leave?”

  “I am a danger to the camp.” She said it as a matter of fact, and there wasn’t much Kyle could do to argue it.

  “Maybe you could just stay with Grandma.” Kyle let out. Her look had changed, she was in that faraway place in her mind, where she went when too many dogs were communicating with her at once. He couldn’t wait for Grand Master Pike to finish her medallion. The focus would help a lot. “Max,” he interrupted her thought, “What is it?”

  “They found him.” She said. “The Hermit. My pack won’t go in there, the fear is too much.” Her breath became a pant. Kyle could see the fear come across her face. She couldn’t separate herself from the emotion.

  “Pull them back, Max, now.” He said as he ran to catch her from falling to the ground.

  She looked up at him and said in a whimper, “I can’t see him. He is there, but the pack can’t see him. He is a shadow, Kyle.”

  “Pull the dogs back, sweetie. Make them run away.”

  He saw her visibly relax, and knew she had taken his advice. “Get a healer!” Kyle yelled out to anyone who could hear, “And Jenny Martinez! Bring Jenny here.” Looking down at his cousin’s still shaking extremities, he hugged her close, “It will be alright kid, you did good.”

  Kyle’s mind ran over their recent conversation about her being safe. She was, of course, correct. She was the safest person. But, even she was helpless against the Hermit it seemed. This man had power unlike anything anyone else exhibited. Who was he?

  After a few moments, Jack Collins, the most powerful healer they had, arrived and collected Max. He led her back to the healing house to give her some rest. They passed Jenny as she was coming Kyle’s way.

  “Is she alright?” Jenny asked.

  “They found the Hermit. He is south past Eric’s old compound in some kind of cave.” He was concerned enough about Max that he didn’t even look at Jenny. She walked up and hugged him.

  Hugging her back, he asked, “What was that for?”

  “With my gift, it is hard to miss your worry.” She answered, “She will be okay. Do we know why she can’t see him? I had no problem seeing him.”

  “How did you know about that?” he queried cautiously.

  “It has happened before. It scares the hell out of her, and out of the dogs. But, it doesn’t seem to hurt her, and there is nothing I saw from him that would make me think he would hurt a small girl.” Jenny started in the direction that Max and Jack had gone, the same direction Kyle was staring in.

  “Are you sure you want to do this?” Kyle asked, turning to look her in the face for the first time.

  “Is it hard being everyone’s big brother, when you are younger than almost everyone here?” She asked him playfully.

  “Jenny, I am serious…” He needed to make her see the danger.

  “I was with him for a long time. I can’t tell you why, but he won’t hurt me. Maybe I am the only one he won’t, I don’t know.” She looked again in Max’s direction, “But we need him. He will either come, or he won’t. My guess is that he won’t.”

  “What?” Kyle asked.

  “I have been thinking about it. He isn’t one to do what others tell him to, or ask him to do. He has some kind of internal motivation. That is the only way I know how to explain it.”

  Kyle was annoyed that this was the first time he was hearing that Jenny doubted the plan would work. “Why didn’t you bring this up in council?”

  “I was going to, but it made no difference. They might have waited too long to rescue Rich, Emma, and Anthony. The Hermit coming might make a difference in our favor, but his not coming may not matter at all. It is hard to tell. It is a shot in the dark.” She somehow didn’t seem defeated by this.

  “But, you will still go?” Kyle asked.

  “Oh, yeah, of course,” Jenny replied.

  “Why? If you think it won’t work, why go at all?” Kyle questioned her, he really couldn’t understand.

  “Because it is only a guess. What if I didn’t go, and he could have helped?” She asked, “Besides, I said I would.”

  “But, Jenny…” Kyle started.

  “I am not afraid of him, Kyle.” She answered, “If he had wanted to harm me, he would have done it long ago. He has the strongest abilities of anyone I have seen so far. I am not sure we could stop him if we wanted to.”

  Jenny’s pack had been ready for two days already, and she l
eft before dark. Two warriors joined her, but only until they were close to the Hermit’s position. Jenny had made sure everyone understood that she was to go it alone for the last portion. Kyle wished he could have sent dogs with her to report back, but that really wasn’t an option. He thought on Jenny’s words to him, “If he wants to help, he will.” He sincerely hoped that the Hermit wanted to help.

  CHRISTMAS EVE

  “All things come and all things go. Thus it has been since the beginning of time. This too shall pass, my son.”

  - Father Alard, Act 2, scene 1, Merrifield Rites

  CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

  “Is it done?” The minister asked in his usual businesslike fashion. When out of the hearing of the masses, Sal was fairly direct. Cory always preferred him that way.

  “As you ordered,” Cory replied. “I left Nate and Jim with them, to make sure that none of their abilities made a sudden reappearance.”

  “Good. And the other two? Have we discovered them?” Sal queried.

  “Not a sign. Even the trackers, who followed them North, have found nothing.” Cory wasn’t surprised. He knew the reasons they were fighting the powers everyone was exhibiting. It had more to do with order, than good versus evil. But, a little bit of those powers would have gone a long way right now. The trackers they had were no match for the abilities that some of the opponents’ powers.

  “We will find them eventually. The Army from the west is still on the march?” Sal was distracted by planning. He had told Cory many times how important timing was, and now Cory could see that timing was everything in this endeavor.

  “Yes, all evidence shows they will be here today.” Cory answered. “Also, the farmers and civilians are gathering. Our force matches theirs, in size, if not in training.”

  “All we need is the show,” Sal said, half to himself. “We know that. All we need is to convince them it is better to fight through intermediaries. Your arm will hold up?”

  Cory looked down at the stump of a hand, and pulled out the prosthetic they had made, fitting it firmly over the mangled flesh on his wrist. It was made of iron, a studded round appendage with a straight spike coming out of the end. “Oh, I think I will be alright.”

  Sal nodded, “They will send their best. We must take them quickly, and they must die before they adjust to not having their powers.”

  Cory just looked at the older man, “Sal, we have done this before.”

  “But you underestimated the Wanderer.”

  Cory tapped the new “hand” against his leg, “And I learned my lesson.”

  A short nod was all Cory got for encouragement. It was not Sal’s way to give too much support. Silence was as close to support as the man could provide. “Let us go make a show then.”

  They walked out of the tent that had been erected as a command area. It was cold out today, but still relatively dry. He could see the clouds forming over Pike’s Peak and knew they were in for a snowstorm today. The worst of the weather usually hit from January through April, so they wanted to be home quickly and miss any major storm. It was not uncommon for Christmas to mark the beginning of the stormy season, sometimes with a blizzard starting it out. Cory thought on Sal’s urge to get this done quick. As usual, Sal Martino was correct.

  They didn’t need to call a meeting. Everyone was already standing around the pyres, hurling insults or pleading with the two condemned to confess their sins and receive swift redemption. The latter was simply not going to happen. Cory knew Sal wanted the drama of a show, to exhibit his control and authority.

  As the two of them walked toward the pyre, Tyler silently fell in with them. Most cleansings only required one or two of the Lord’s Hammer. This particular cleansing would display the whole authority of the group with Minister Sal and the Lord’s Hammer standing side by side, vanquishing the foe, and lighting the cleansing fire over the captured.

  Sal stood before the crowd, who immediately silenced themselves. “Fellow believers, we all know why we are here today. We are here to cleanse this city, once again, of the influence of the Adversary. Today, through his cleansing fire, the Lord Himself will rid us of this threat. This heretic, and his conspirator, the traitor, will both burn in his righteous fire.”

  The crowd cheered for Sal and the Faith, and jeered the condemned.

  Sal continued, “I know some of you doubt. Let me tell you, there is no room for doubt in this action. We must be strong. We must be steadfast. We must honor our God with this sacrifice.”

  There was a scream, and gasps as people turned to look. Far off in the distance, Cory could see the slow approach of the force from Council Bluffs. Their horses were a nice touch, it made them look more imposing. But they were walking into the trap specifically set for them by the most effective planner Cory had ever met. The opponent was walking right into the wide open maw of their impending doom, and they couldn’t even see it. Everything was happening according to plan.

  CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

  “Mr. Craven,” the silky, smooth false pleasantries of the Minister made Ted’s skin crawl, “It is nice to see you again. To what do we owe this pleasure?”

  Ted looked at the four men behind Sal. The Lord’s Hammer stood silently, seemingly unconcerned about the parlay in front of them.

  “Cut the bullshit...” Eric began, but Ted put his hand up. Fine was clearly not enjoying either the farce of this truce, nor the inner tug each of them could feel with all four Lord’s Hammer standing this close. It made one’s muscles feel like they hadn’t the strength to keep standing.

  “I think you know why we are here,” Ted answered, “We have come to collect our people. Hand them over and we will leave you to your revival in peace.” Ted knew there was zero chance they would get out of this without a fight. He had hoped their numbers would cow the Faith, but it turned out they had brought a force equal to the force from the Bluffs.

  “That I cannot do,” Minister Sal answered, without explanation.

  “Then we are at an impasse, Minister.” Ted waited for the older man to feel he had backed them down, then continued, “It is war. One of my people told me they remember you from before the event. You were a political operative with the Christian Right. They called you ruthless, and frankly faithless. I guess we all change.” He let what he knew about Sal sink in for a moment. “But, we had lives before the event also. I was a U.S. Army Soldier, as was Mr. Fine here. We have cadets from the Air Force Academy, soldiers, war-trained fighters. If we leave this meeting without our people, that experience and training will rain down on your people until there are none left. Give me back my people, and avoid the destruction that comes your way.”

  Sal actually seemed prepared for this. It was the strangest thing Ted had ever seen. He responded, “Yes, that does seem a predicament. But, the godless can’t stand up to the God-fearing. We are secure in His power and might. But, since you are so strong, perhaps we could negotiate a different type of arrangement.”

  “Give me back my people.”

  “Yes, yes, if you can win. Many centuries ago, trials by combat were performed to settle such things. It was believed that God himself judged the match. Whoever won, God was on their side, so they won. I propose a similar match now. My champions against yours.”

  “This is a foolish suggestion…” Ted began, trying to see where Sal was headed. He couldn’t possibly think these young men could defeat seasoned soldiers.

  “Why, can your fighters not defeat four political operatives?” Sal’s voice dripped with sarcasm and derision.

  Before Ted could stop him, Eric took the bait. “Done,” he said, “don’t come crying when your boys lose, because it won’t be over then. Each and every one of you will pay for your actions.”

  “I know the stories about you, Mr. Fine. Or is it Major Fine? Sensei? Shogun? Lord Marshall?” If Eric was taken back by the man’s knowledge of him, it didn’t show. All Eric was showing was the malice that made people fear him so much. “So, should we expect the evil intent you
unleashed on so many in the early days of these end times?”

  Eric smiled an evil looking smile, full of hate and aggression, “You can.”

  Sal turned to Ted, he added, “His presence here tells us all we need know about you and your intent. Please include him in your champions. Seeing his destruction will please not only God, but many of those in our camp who barely escaped his clutches.”

  “He couldn’t stop me if he wanted to.” Eric replied, referring to Ted. The Minister seemed almost intent on drawing Eric’s ire. Ted didn’t have time to wonder why, because it had worked.

  “And, I don’t want to.” Ted replied. “I will also join. You have killed my friends, and I don’t like your ilk. We accept your proposal. Eric and I, Commander Casco here and my niece, Natalee will make up our four.” Ted saw the reflexive twitch in the Lord’s Hammer at the mention of Nat.

  “No women,” Sal said.

  “Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone you were defeated by a female,” Ted’s taunt was close, but he had missed something. There was something there, but he wasn’t sure what it was. “Besides, why are you so afraid? You have killed plenty of women.”

  “We do not beat women. It is against our code.” Sal’s mental gymnastics to make sense of this thing were so common among those who held an inconsistent belief. “We cleanse them of demons, it is true.”

  “Our champions, or our army, you choose. Either way, Natalee will be kicking the shit out of you.”

  Sal considered for a moment, “Very well. I suppose it doesn’t matter. She is not a woman anyway, since she is indwelt with the Adversary.”

  “Oh, I am certain she will be quite adversarial.” Ted played on the words, but he was running out of patience.

  “Bare handed only,” Sal demanded.

  “It won’t save your lives,” Eric added.

  “Nor yours.” Sal responded. “Go say your good byes, Mr. Craven. Our champions will meet you here, in the middle, in let’s say fifteen minutes.”

  “My watch doesn’t work,” Ted countered, “But, if I see you coming, I will know it is time.”