The Chardon Chronicles: Season Two --- The Winter
Page 61
Chapter Nine
The main barn at Elysium Farm was also their dining hall, dance hall, and party center. Most nights they had a relatively mellow dinner followed by music and dancing and singing, but on many occasions, they partied. The completion of the temple was a good excuse for a party, plus Anna decided to move to the farm, and the other hands greeted her enthusiastically. They garlanded her with flowers and she sat at the head of one of the tables absorbing their affection and enthusiasm.
Demetria was a natural conductor of the ceremonies. She wandered the hall and shared herself with her people. She joined Anna’s table and put her hand on Anna’s.
“It’s so wonderful you’ve decided to join us! Morgan said you are from Switzerland. That is such a beautiful place. I remember it fondly.” She smiled. “Those cows! So wonderful.”
Anna nodded enthusiastically, “My grandfather kept cows on a hillside farm, it was like a post card. They were wonderful animals.”
Demetria said, “Thousands of years ago they were very different animals, not nearly as docile, but smarter. Their wild ancestors were still plentiful. They were called aurochs. The relationship between us and them is very old, almost a central part of who we are.”
Anna was fascinated, “That’s really interesting. I always felt a bond with them.”
Demetria nodded, “Absolutely, we are connected.” Suddenly, Demetria slumped over to her right writhed with pain, and cried out. Morgan ran over to her side.
Morgan was almost in a panic. He asked, “What’s wrong?!”
“Stephanie…” Demetria stood up and rushed out of the barn and Morgan followed. The crowd followed, but kept their distance. Demetria told Morgan, “Something terrible happened. I feel I lost her…”
Morgan was puzzled, “How? Isn’t she always in the meadow?”
Demetria shook her head, “No, she left. I don’t know what happened. I just don’t feel her anymore.” She closed her eyes. “She’s not there! She’s not there!”
Their phones buzzed. Morgan read the message, “Tracy says Stephanie was abducted… They’re on the way down.”
“We must find her…” Demetria said. Her face hardened. “At any cost, we must find her…”
EPISODE EIGHT -- Red Five
Present Day