I Find Your Insurrection Revolting

 Emlyn glanced behind her into the sky but saw no sign of Axelis’s starship. Maurice followed her gaze but saw nothing. “Come inside out of the cold, cher.”

It was good to be in his parlor and away from the upheaval, for a few minutes at least. Maurice wrapped her in his arms. “I missed you ma Coeur.” He kissed her cheek. “Come sit beside me and tell me your news.”

Emlyn fell upon the sofa. “Maurice, I need your attention to what has become perhaps a matter of international importance.”

Maurice sat beside Em, his face reflecting her concern. He frowned. “What have you been up to Emlyn? You leave me for an hour and return with threatening possibilities? C’est le chaos?” 

“Non, mon cher, not yet, at least.” Em sought to inform, not inflame. “But you must listen. I need your help in seeing a way out of this trouble.”

Maurice was listening. “Go on.”

Emlyn brought him up to date upon the entire situation, ending with the disabling of the airships and continuing with the threat of troops marching overland. “Cavalry as well, waggons transporting the bombs….it is sheer madness Maurice.”

“I see.” Maurice sighed. “If all is as dire as you say, then it would be well advised for us to take some part in the effort to cease and resist this ill advised attack.” 

“But what can be done?” Emlyn stood. “Action is needed, and soon.” As tired as Em was, she was itching to get things done. Time for rest later.

“Oui, ma cher. Do not fret yourself. I have an idea.” Maurice also stood and began to pace. “I have many friends, some with certain connections, that may be useful.” He stood still and turned to Em. “You say that they are heading east to Washington, non?

“Oui, actually more northeast.” Em paused. “I know not the exact route, but thus far, Kidd wishes to create a stir, to show themselves and hopefully pick up more volunteers along the way.” 

“Ah, parfait!” Maurice went to the telephone. “I know someone who will be very interested in an army marching northeast bent upon revolt! Allo? Jacque? Oui, Maurice. Ecouter….”

Emlyn sat with rapt attention as she tried to understand Maurice’s rapid fire French, but she barely knew only every second or third word. She watched the hands of the horloge de parquet as it chimed the hour. Time, now, was not their friend.

At last, Maurice hung up the phone and grinned her way. “Oui ma petit, I think we have found a solution.”

“Tell me!” Em was on tenterhooks. Maurice took a seat. “Sit, cheri. I think now all will be well. Friends of mine are on the job.”

“Yes? How so?” 

Maurice smiled. “You have, perhaps heard of my friends…do you know of the RCMP?”

“The Mounties?” Emlyn cried, “Oh, Maurice, truly? Tell me all!”

Maurice chuckled. “Oui, c’est vrai. The Mounties are on the march, on horseback. And best of all, they will intercept the enemy from Alberta and British Columbia, in the west, long before they even reach the divide.” Maurice sighed. “I explained about the pirate, Kidd, and the bombas of the bats…c’est fou. So my friends know that these are men who are possessed by the folie, and to confiscate weapons but not to harm anyone if it can be helped.”

“Brilliant!” Em kissed Maurice her thanks. “It is indeed parfait.”

“Oui. The mounties will tell them and anyone else who asks why they are there, that intelligence was received that a battalion was marching upon Canada with combat in mind.” Maurice put an arm about Em. “Is there anything else you require, Mademoiselle? World peace perhaps?” 

“Oui,” Em replied. “ That would be parfait.”

Revolution or Evolution?

To be a star you must shine your own light, follow your own path, and don’t worry about the darkness,  for that is when the stars shine brightest.

• 
  
•  Ralph Waldo Emerson 

 Axelis put up a hand. “Hold. A moment: this airship, with bat bombs? It is plotting some destruction?”

“Yes, Axelis! It must be stopped. I wish I knew a way…” Emlyn began to head for the door.

“I have a way,” Axelis replied. “My ship could disable these airships, silently and stealthily.”

Em paused. “They will not see you?” 

“They will never know what hit them, as you would say.” Axelis rose and joined Em at the door. Jeanne and Shannon followed. “You must bring it down safely!” Emlyn cried as they ran. “Of course.” Axelis assured her. “It will all be over in minutes.”

The sisters of the Celtic Triad traveled as quickly as Axelis’s ship. 

Em delivered them back outside The Bear tavern. They were just able to discern two airships above steaming slowly but inexorably eastward determined upon delivering freedom from supposed tyranny via bat guano and a motley troop of piratical revolutionaries.

“There they go, the great numpty wallopers!” Jeanne summed up Kidd’s ragtag army with gusto. “Whatever happens, I hope Kidd gets his just desserts!”

“But Jethro wants no part of this madness!” Emlyn worried about her friend. “He was taken much against his will.”

A melodious baritone voice sounded behind them, “That’s true, Em. The daft buggahs!” His smile included everyone.

Em wheeled about to find Jethro, a bit worse for wear but safely away from danger. “Jethro!” She threw her arms about him as did Jeanne and Shannon. “Umph! Easy, ladies…I got a bit dinged up getting away, plenty to go round later!”

“Ah the great sass of him now!” Shannon grinned.

Em held Jethro at arm’s length then. “You’re all right though? Oh, Jethro you gave me quite a start.”

“He scared us all for a bit,” Alain sauntered over from The Bear.  Shannon flung herself upon him with a whoop. “It is good to have you both safely away from that duchas!” Shannon hugged him hard. “ No more of that now!”

“Something is happening!” Emlyn stepped up upon a knoll, eyes to the skies. Where once the ships were sailing slowly through the air, they now  began to inch downward until both were resting peaceably upon the ground.

“Axelis did it!” She exclaimed, excited. “Goddess be thanked,” echoed Jeanne. “As well as this is,” Alain began, “I do not think that it will end there.” 

“ He’s right,” Jethro said, still with an arm around Emlyn. “They’ll probably just proceed with an alternate plan of marching over ground to Washington.”

“Oui, I believe that will happen, and soon,” Alain agreed. All were silent then, thinking. Finally Emlyn turned to Jethro. “You are certain you are all right?”

“Much better, now I’m here.” He smiled down at Em. “I think I better get back to check on ole Homer, though. Been away a while now. I can always rustle up a horse somewhere…”

“Try Mrs. Murphys boarding house,” Em suggested, pulling some cash from her pockets. “And pay my rent while you’re there.”

“Just like old times, Em.” He bent to give her a peck on the cheek. “You all take care now!” And off he sauntered. 

“So, what next?” Jeanne asked, hands on hips. Emlyn looked at Alain and Shannon, heads together. “I believe I will take Alain’s advice and see what Maurice may suggest. We might be able to get a jump on this overland invasion. Somehow.”

Jeanne directed her gaze toward the park beside The Bear. “What is that shimmering?”

Emlyn had an idea. “I believe it is my father, decloaking.” She began walking towards the space where the shimmer seemed most solid. Soon, Axelis appeared. 

“That was good work you did, grounding those airships.” Emlyn greeted him. “Thank you.” “It was the least I could do.” Axelis glanced back toward his ship. “I would like you to do something for me, if you will.” “Of course,” Em wondered what this could possibly be. 

“ I would like to take you wherever you are bound in my ship.” He glanced behind him. “There is someone I would like you to meet.”

Whoever could it be? Em’s  curiosity peaked. “I was thinking I would head east, to Canada and talk over some things with Maurice.” Axelis bowed and gestured toward the ship. Emlyn was finally on her way, ascending the skies with Axelis. “Took him long enough…” she murmured to herself. “Did you say something, daughter?” Em had to get used to being around a telepath. “Nothing important. I am so looking forward to this trip!” 

“As am I. Please take a seat, make yourself comfortable. I will return shortly.”

Emlyn gazed about her, seeing nothing more than utilitarian curved walls lighted by an amber glow from an unknown source. Without sound or motion, she wondered when they would be airborne. On  the wall before her, a screen appeared suddenly. The glowing amber lighting changed to a soft indigo. She watched, rapt with wonder as she beheld the planet below become a small blue ball surrounded by the darkness of space. The ship seemed to slow then and stars appeared, shining points of diamond lights.

“We have reached a cruising speed.” Axelis had a way of simply apporting in and out. “We shall fly to Canada soon,  but first, I wished to take you via the scenic route.”

Emlyn had no words. She slowly shook her head. “I had no idea…it could be so beautiful.” 

“It is that. And more.” Axelis seemed to frown slightly. “But, for now, all is at peace.” Em glanced aside. “Are there wars in space then?”

“Sometimes.” Axelis sighed and looked out at the stars glimmering as they slowly traveled past. “ Not as much now, as there once was.” He looked at Em. “Know that your world had taken part in some skirmish or other throughout time.”  Emlyn recalled Daryl saying as much. Earth as a battlefield.    

“Emlyn, I was hoping to introduce you to someone who is actually a distant…cousin of yours.” Axelis nodded toward a figure who was approaching silently. Curiouser and curiouser, thought Em…

“Sharina, this is Emlyn, my daughter.” 

Em certainly was not prepared for such a surprising situation. However she managed a greeting. Just. “Pleased to meet you, Sharina.” The young person seemed quite out of her element here. “It is pleasant meeting you,” she managed, staring unabashedly at Emlyn, and Axelis. “Is Em Lyn also a hybrid like me?” 

Axelis seemed caught a bit off guard. “Yes…I am her father, but her mother was of Earth stock, partially.” 

This was news to Em. “Partially? Do you mean, she also, was hybrid?” Axelis gestured to a couch which had appeared from behind a wall. “ Let us take a seat so we may discuss these things more comfortably.”

Emlyn and Sharina eyed one another warily like strange felines. Axelis sat between them. “Sharina’s father is a step brother of mine,” he began. “Our uncle knew your mother, Emlyn. From many years ago now.”

Em’s head swam. She knew there was no way she could follow this otherworldly family tree. Axelis intuited this, arose and made for a panel on the wall. “Three cups of Andorian tea.” A door previously unseen appeared with tea upon a tray. Axelis served. “This tea is quite good, you will find it soothing to the system.”

“Thank you,” Em replied, quietly astonished to find a table had arisen from the floor before them. She took a sip and set her cup down, fearing her hand would shake. “It’s quite good,” she commented, wondering how long it would be until they reached Canada…it seemed terribly far away. “This is all rather a lot to, take in, all of a sudden.”

Indeed, Axelis was finding his plans for a simple gathering to have become exceedingly complicated. “Quite understandable.”  He was not adept at family matters, having spent so much of his time at work, and with the council. “ I had hoped that, with time, we might be able to get to know one another better.”

“I know now more than I would like!” Sharina burst, shaking her head. “This is not a world I would wish to know better, not at all! I want to return home. Now.” The young person retreated into another room leaving her tea behind. Apparently it had not soothed her much.

“I apologize for Sharina,” Axelis began, “her upbringing has been rather free of anything more difficult than unpalatable tea, I fear.”   Lucky girl, Em thought, but kept that to herself.

“I fear now that time is of the essence,” Em stood and walked to the view screen now showing what could only be the lunar surface of the moon approaching. “Something must be done before a civil war breaks out on my insignificant but most unpleasant planet. How much longer until we reach Ontario, Axelis?”

“We will be descending soon.” Axelis joined her at the window on the worlds.  “ I am sorry I have been focused on my own agenda. Of course you’ve more pressing matters to attend than the education of a wayward young woman.

“Timing is everything.” Emlyn told him. “ I wish now more than ever that I could cruise the galaxy with my father…but, duty calls. Surely you understand.”

“I’m afraid I do, all too well,” he smiled then. “We are more alike than either of us imagined.” He pointed to earth approaching. “Canada, there you see. Won’t be long now.”

“Perhaps, some other time, then?” Emlyn asked. “Soon?”

“Decidedly. Yes.” Axelis reached into a pocket. “Nearly forgot…just a small token to remember me by.” He pressed a velvet box into her hand. Emlyn opened it to reveal a blue star sapphire in a diamond shape set within a silver necklace with an eight pointed star. “Allow me,” Axelis fastened it about her neck. “It becomes you. Brings out the blue in your eyes…”

Emlyn fingered the blue star, feeling suddenly sentimental. “I will treasure it, thank you.”

“Ah, yes, well…we are here.” Axelis opened the doorway and released the ramp. He took Emlyn’s arms and bent to kiss her cheek. “You have not seen the last of me,” he smiled. “If ever you have need of me, just hold this star and call to me. I will hear and respond.” 

Emlyn could only smile. “Fare well, and good journey father.” 

Axelis raised a hand. The ramp retreated and the door closed. A silvery shimmering engulfed the ship. And, he was away.

‘“Second star to the right, and straight on til morning…’” Em quoted Barrie’s Peter Pan. Then she turned and walked to Maurice’s cottage and rapped upon the door.

“Ah, there you are!” Maurice answered at once. “And just where have you been, ma cheri?” 

“ Oh, not so far.” Em smiled. “It’s good to be back.” Maurice brought her inside and closed the door upon the night.

 

In Life, Like Comedy, Timing Is Everything

 After the loss of family, Carlos was always the abandoner, never the abandoned. His need to be in control in his relationships was tremendous and appeared to dictate all his actions.

From: Sorcerer’s Apprentice - my life with Carlos Castaneda 

Amy Irving

……………….

“Hello? Em?” 

Emlyn glanced up the stairway. Jeanne was awake. “Feeling better?” Em inquired. “Absolutely.” Jeanne made a careful descent downstairs. “You’re just in time for dinner,” Em told her. “At Athena’s.” 

Em turned to Axelis. “We will meet you there.” Axelis nodded and quickly made his exit.

“Interesting man.” Jeanne noticed. “Your father?” “Yes.” Em sighed, “ He is attempting to act human now.” Jeanne grinned. “Nice try.” “Indeed.” Emlyn headed into the kitchen. “I need to leave a note for Shannon. Just in case…”

“This should be an interesting dinner,” Jeanne opined as the two headed down the well worn pathway to the gatehouse. “Do you notice anything odd about the meadow over there?” Emlyn inquired. Jeanne stared about. “No. Not really. The usual…although it could use some rain perhaps.” “Just wondering…it’s nothing,” Em wanted to be certain of Axelis’ ship’s cloaking device. All seemed in working order.

……………..

Athena hosted an impromptu gathering with her guests strewn about the parlor, gathered round her pirate chest as they noshed on a mound of cheesy biscuits while a great cauldron of soup was kept bubbling over the low fire in the stone fireplace.

“Any ideas as to what to do about our friends about to become the enemies of the US?” Jeanne paused. “Just asking.”  Axelis glanced about the crowd. “Our people had to learn the hard way that violence is not the answer. Our homeland was nearly destroyed before we came to our senses at last.” 

“In my timeline before this, it was much the same,” Athena concurred as she spooned the up the last of her soup. “Which is why Daryl sent the lucky few back into another timeline in the past. Here and now.”

“It will take a while for a marching patrol to make it to Washington,” Emlyn noted. “I think Shannon had a good idea …Maurice may be able to see what we may be missing. From his eastern viewpoint. I should stop by and inquire.”

Axelis suddenly looked up. “Maurice?” he asked. Emlyn was surprised by his question, to say the least.“Yes. He is a gentleman friend of mine in Ontario. Canada.”

“I am acquainted with Canada,” Axelis frowned slightly. “ Your northern neighbors. It is quite cold there.”Em smiled slighty. “ Indeed. Especially in the eastern provinces. The snow is quite beautiful though.”“But, cold. Still”Axelis confirmed.

“More beer anyone?” Athena offered. “The newest batch is still fermenting but should be ready in another week. This one will be a dark beer, and not so hoppy.”

“Excellent.” Axelis accepted a small top up. “ I do prefer your darker ales. Heartier.”

“Axelis refused alcohol until I convinced him to try my brew.” Athena commented proudly, “He has since become quite the expert.”

“A very little bit goes a long way,” Axelis replied. “ Generally, my people do not indulge in spirits.” He took a small sip and continued, “I would like to know more of this Maurice of whom you speak, daughter.”

Em was gobsmacked just then. Now he decides to act somewhat fatherly? L’etonnement! As Maurice might say! “Ah, well…” Em stammered.

Just then a series of knocks sounded rather loudly at the door. Not wanting for an answer, Shannon burst in upon the crowd. “Sorry to interrupt, but Em, Jeanne, I think we should go,” she announced breathlessly, “They, Kidd and company, have AIRSHIPS now! Airships loaded with bat bombs and headed east!”

Earth Stinks

Canst thou bind the sweet influences of the Pleiades

          or loose the bands of Orion? Job 38:31

 The sun was out and warming the earth nicely. Or, not so nicely, depending upon one’s olfactory preferences. Athena naturally enjoyed the fragrance of horse and hay, and all the accompanying scents of same. Alas, the young half-human visitor did not share her enjoyment of stable scents. She became even more discomfited when Athena’s white stallion Galahad lifted tail and let loose his mighty bowels.

“Oh no! The animal is ill! It has lost its…innards!” Soft retching noises followed her assessment as she trotted outside. 

“Oh, dear.” Athena put a hand upon Axelis’s arm. “ I fear this wild and woolly planet may not agree with your young…ward.” 

“Perhaps not.” He sighed. “She has been rather cocooned in a more rarified dimension.” He followed the girl without. Athena brought the wheelbarrow around, and whistling, began to pitch horse biscuits within. “Good boy, Galahad…” she cooed in his ear. “Mummy is well pleased with her sweet boy,”And Galahad received a carrot for his hearty digestive efforts.

Athena attended to her ranch chores throughout the day, seeing no further signs of Axelis or his puzzling youngster. The ship remained where it landed however. She supposed her otherworldly visitors were sequestered within. Ah well. They knew where to find her.

Feeling a bit peckish, she returned to the gatehouse and began to bustle about rustling up some dinner. She supposed the girl could eat…she knew Axelis was not so squeamish about such earthly habits. 

A hearty corn chowder soon simmered on the stove and Athena had just popped cheese biscuits in the oven when Axelis rapped gently upon the door, then peered within. “Ah, there you are!” Athena greeted him. “How fares our young visitor?” 

“Resting.” He shut the door and inhaled appreciatively. “I’m afraid it’s my error in assuming that just because I am adept at acclimatizing to this planet, others may not find it so easy.” He took a chair near the window and gazed out at his ship anchored beyond.

“It would appear not,” Athena agreed. She poured a herbal tea in two mugs and joined him. “Exactly how do you come to be so intertwined with young Sharina?”

Axelis stared into his tea. “We are, somewhat related. Sort of…step cousins.” He took a sip.“It is hard to explain.”

“I see.” Athena did not. She put a hand upon his. “ Do us both a favor and do not mention this liaison to Emlyn. She would be deeply hurt.”

He raised his eyes to hers. “Truly?” He seemed oblivious of the obvious.

“She wishes she could know you better, Axelis. You know she considers you her real parent. And you see her so seldom. How could you not know this?” 

He sat back into his chair and sighed. “Diplomatic matters have kept me busy, you know how it is. And my uncle has had some, ah, rather sticky challenges of late. He suggested it would be best perhaps to take Sharina away somewhere more…secure. Somewhere no one would find her.”

“Sounds serious.” And less innocent than a simple visit here. 

“ I sincerely doubt that anyone could trace my ship here, especially with all Daryl’s wards upon the area. The perimeters here hold strong.” Axelis was showing signs of stress. Something rarely seen about him. “However, I see now that this may not be the time for a forced rooting here. Sharina is a more delicate flower than I had expected.”

Athena sat back, stretching her long legs before her. “Earth is decidedly not the place for delicate blossoms, you know this well my dear. Even the heartiest specimens have a rather rough go of it here.” Athena stood, and placed her biscuits on the table. “I believe Emlyn is here at the house. Why don’t you pay her a call and invite her over for dinner?”

Axelis stood and nodded. “Of course. It is, as you say, the least I could do.”

“I didn’t say it,” Athena replied. 

“You were thinking it, though.” Axelis smiled then as he headed out the door. 

Emlyn rambled around the great echoing chambers within the mansion wondering what she was doing here.  She wished for news from Shannon and Alain regarding the latest developments and how Jethro was faring in this rather hurried and ill favored insurrection.

But she didn’t want Jeanne to awaken alone in this mausoleum. 

Such were her musings as she haunted the empty place room by hollow room. Sighing, she flopped down on the parlor sofa. And sat up abruptly as she heard a knock upon the front door.

Not awaiting an answer, the door opened.

“Axelis!” She knew she was blushing as her heart pounded in response to viewing her long lost otherworldly paterfamilias. 

“Emlyn. How good to see you again.” Uncharacteristically he held his arms open, beckoning.

Em naturally took advantage of this rare opportunity, and approached gingerly, daring to allow his embrace. “Let me look at you.” He held her apart and smiled. “Come with me to Athena’s?

She has invited us to dine with her tonight.”

“Yes, that sounds lovely.” Em hardly knew what to say…such an unexpected surprise, seeing Axelis appear here, of all places. “Just give me a moment, I’ll get my coat.” Em quickly wrote a note and left it for Jeanne in the kitchen. 

Events and people were suddenly moving fast. Em had to prioritize, and spending time with Axelis trumped all. “Let’s be off. I’ve waited long for just such an evening with you…” 

“As have I, my dear,” Axelis was suddenly saying all the right things after a lifetime of silent absence. It left Em wondering, but she put off any deep thinking until much later. For now, all that mattered was this dream that had come true at last. For now, reality need not intrude.

Axelis held her arm as they walked the pathway to the gatehouse. “The stars are just beginning to appear,” he noted. “Look up to the right, above those trees, You see Orion, the Hunter, yes?” Emlyn did. “Orion is unmistakable. Such a large constellation.”;

“Indeed.” Axelis pointed beyond. “And that mass of cloudy stars, is my home world, the Pleiades. Specifically, Taygeta.” 

“I see.” Emlyn sighed. “How I would love to visit there…”

“Would you, truly?” Axelis pondered this. “Perhaps that can be arranged.”

Emlyn felt herself halfway there already…✨⭐️💫✨💫✨💫

…………….

Between and Behind the Lines

Gillian heard the calling of the toads, an urgent chirping sound. here, in the first Essex County, she felt as though she were an entirely different person, or maybe it was simply that after all this time, she finally knew who she was.

"Do you ever see anything strange when you're walking in the marsh?" Gillian asked their driver, Matt, as he loaded their luggage into the taxi.

"We call it the fens. You'll find water, miss, there among the weeds. It's a place where you need to be careful, otherwise you may drown and join the others. You'll find toads out there as well, especially at this time of the year. That's what you're hearing now. They used to be hunted by those wishing to protect themselves from evil. They say there's a witchbone in every toad. Folks called the Toadmen delved into magic and my great grandfather was one of them." Matt took out a tin cough drop box and shook it. Gillian could hear something inside rattling around. The taxi driver lowered his voice. 

"I've got my own witchbone. You cut it from a toad and dry it in the sun and you make sure to keep it close to your heart for protection and courage.  I wouldn't walk through the woods without it. It protects against evil and gives you power, especially over horses and women."

Alice Hoffman - The Book of Magic                                        

..................

As Emlyn, Shannon and Alain were leaving the Bear,  discussing this newest conundrum concerning the problematic and potentially perilous pirate Alexander Kidd, hoofbeats sounded behind them proceeding at a breakneck pace.

All three turned to meet or scamper away from their pursuer, but Alain's gimlet gaze was the first to recognise -- 'Jeanne!' he exclaimed, with his arm about Shannon, ready to pull her from harm's way.

They stood their ground amazed at their erstwhile friend's posthaste approach. At the last, Jeanne reined in her frothing bay gelding, a fine beast indeed with the look of grand breeding about him.                                              

Jeanne dismounted at once, snatching a quick look behind her. 'Good,' she apprised, 'no one has followed!' She patted her snorting mount's sweat-sodden shoulder. 'Poor Blaze, he has carried me far on this escape!' Jeanne seemed rather out of breath as well as she reached for her canteen and drank the last drops. 

At last she viewed those about her and announced, 'I've done it! I've left!' She shook her dark auburn braid. 'I've escaped from Kidd, the great daft omadan!' She kicked a rock with her boot toe. Shannon looked at Em: '"Eejit", that is,' said she, nodding.

 'Aye, and I've news for you all.' Again Jeanne shot a glance behind them. 'We must get off the road and away though. He'll find me gone at some point this day...'

'Shia, shia, Jeanne, there now,' Shannon patted her friend's shoulder. 'Aye, let's get you and your good beast awa' from town...you're safe wi' us...'  

Shannon turned off the road and led them all away behind a thicket and down a deer trail, Blaze snorting all the way til they came to a shallow creek and let him have but a wee bit of water at a time whilst he cooled. She tied the reins up and slipped a rope through his bridle, hitching it to a nearby birch. She refilled her canteen after a good rinse and joined the others in a small meadow seated on a fallen redwood.

Jeanne sat and turned her face up to the sun. 'It's so good to feel the free air and sun on yer face.' Everyone sat still and waited, knowing it would be best to let her take her time rather than peppering her with questions.

'Right.' Jeanne regarded her friends then. 'Well, since time is short, I'll cut to the chase.' She sighed. 'Alexander, is mad. His madness has currently manifested in a libido dominandi...'

'A lust for power,' Em frowned.

'Exactly.' Jeanne continued, 'I hadn't understood it for what it was, until he showed up with Jethro and armed guards about a waggonload of guano.' She made an appropriate face. 'We now are guilty of harboring guano with intent.' She slowly shook her head, unbuttoning the neck of her shirt and wiping her face with a hanky. 

'And Jethro? How does he figure in all this?' Em's chief concern was the safety of her friend, more like a brother.

'Oh, Em...I fear he is being, well, not exactly held, but he isn't allowed to leave, either. He's being treated quite well, given the best of everything, food, money, clothes...but Kidd wants his expertise in making these bat-bombs. And he wants to keep him near. For how long, who knows.'

Alain spoke up, 'Jeanne, Jethro was tres' worried about leaving his farm, and about Homer. He does not wish to leave him all alone there, I know.'

Jeanne stood and began pacing. 'Alain, I know! I cannot tell you, all of you,' she regarded her friends, 'how deeply I regret falling in with Kidd.' She rubbed her forehead as if she could erase such memories. 'But, here's the thing: he has plans to, eh, invade Washington. Insurrection. Which he sees as justified, in his mania. It's an utterly mad plan...which is how I finally fell out with him.'                                  

'Jeanne, tell us now.' Shannon tried to focus her friend's ramblings. 'The plan, then?'

Jeanne's hands covered her face, rubbing it in frustration. 'Ach! The fool actually WANTS to be seen coming in to Washington and the government buildings there! He plans a mighty force of armed eh, "patriots" he's calling them! And, oh my lord and lady, he wants to invade by land, by river, and by air! Wi' hot air balloons! Dropping bat-bombs! Can you believe the like!?'

Alain frowned and held up a hand. 'Wait, wait...by river?' He looked at Jeanne. 'Well that can only be the Potomac. That would be insanity. C'est fou!'

Jeanne's weary gaze reflected many a sleepless night. 'He has fancies of himself as Washington crossing the Deleware...' She dropped her head to her hands.

'Alain, you know the area back east somewhat, yes? What can you tell us about such a plan?' Emlyn inquired.

Their companion sighed softly. 'I know but little, truly. Mais, you know who does know that area, mon oncle Maurice!'

Emlyn stood. 'We need to get you somewhere safe, Jeanne. I can only hope that Jethro, and Homer will be all right for now.' She eyed the others. 'I know just the place for Jeanne. No one will find her.' She nodded, and Jeanne understood that she meant the Massachusetts estate.

Alain smiled. His eyes went to Jeanne. 'Fond of you, mon oncle was...we should see what he thinks of all this.'

Jeanne blushed, then she quickly recovered,  removed the bridle and tack from Blaze,  and giving him a pat and a soft slap on the rump sent him on his merry way. 'Go home. Go on now, ye've done yer job, laddie!'

No need to tell him twice. Blaze trotted off back the way he'd come. Jeanne divided the tack among them and gazed Em's way. 'This is my own saddle, bridle and bits, ye ken.'

Emlyn nodded. 'We're off then!' Looping her arm through Shannon's, who in turn had Jeanne's arm  they were away ~

.................

The great hulking mansion loomed silently above them as the trio approached up the steps. “Not sure who is here now,” Em tried the door, which gave entry into the hall. “All quiet,” she ushered her Celtic sisters within.  “Well, plenty of space. I usually sleep in the library myself when here.” She gestured up the winding stairway. “Pick a room, any room.”

Jeanne smiled wearily. “Ta, Em,” she managed with a hug. “I’m ready for a rest, I admit. Haven’t been sleeping much of late.”

“Off you go then. No one will find you here.” Emlyn sent her friend up to bed and turned to Shannon, who stood staring after Jeanne with arms folded. “Saw that one coming,” she nodded to Em. “I will leave Jeanne safe with you. I’m off to find Alain and see what sort of madness is afoot with the men.” 

“Always something,” Emlyn allowed. “ I best stay here and keep watch, just in case.”

…………

Em headed down the hall to the library. Opening a door, she poked her head within. No one downstairs. “Daryl?” She called. No answer. He may be in the loft asleep, though. Climbing the winding stairway to the loft, she sighed. Empty then. Just as well, she decided. “Been quite a day already,” she told herself.

But the day was not yet over…

…………..

Meanwhile, down the forest pathway to Athena’s, that worthy woman stood outside with Wolfstar, both with rapt attention upon the clear sky above.

“A very large eagle, perhaps,” was Wolfstar’s guess as he shaded his eyes against the sun. Athena was not so sure. “I don’t think so. No eagle is that big. And it appears to be glowing.” Athena had an altogether different notion as to the provenance of this airborne anomaly. And it was nothing earthbound.

Wolfstar shot a knowing look her way, his countenance serious. “I believe I will leave you to welcome your guest from afar. We will meet again at another time.”

      

Athena stared after him. “Soon!” she called after him. Then returned her gaze to the sky. Wolfstar was never comfortable around Axelis or the craft he piloted. But Athena treasured his rare exotic visits and always looked forward to them.

The ship landed in the meadow after a series of falling leaf motions. Athena always did marvel at the smooth sleekness of the craft, not a rivet or seam showed to mar its surface like a mold of silver. Once landed, the odd glow ceased to shine through the exterior. Utterly perfect in its quixotic way, it seemed as much a part of the natural landscape as a six legged giraffe in a swimming pool. 

Athena liked its look however. She found it oddly beautiful, much like its pilot. She knew not to approach until all was powered down though and waited for Axelis to disembark. 

Soon enough, her visitor appeared, all seven feet plus of him, long platinum hair adrift with the wind. She wondered if his appearance was partly to blame for Wolfstar’s exit. She shrugged it off as a male idiosyncrasy. Too bad we all can’t simply get along, she decided. Then, she noticed Axelis step down the ramp and turning, he put an arm out to help a young woman who was also exiting the ship. Hm. That put rather a different perspective on things.

As the two approached Athena, she noticed Axelis looking rather pleased with this group meeting. He took her in a warm embrace. “Athena, so good to see you. You are well?” 

“I am. And who have we here?” Athena took in the adolescent girl, looking a slim slip of a thing, her own hair so blonde as to appear white and such pale skin as to seem translucent. She turned great sapphire blue eyes upon her surroundings with a somewhat startled look.

“Sharina, this is Athena.” Axelis made introductions as the girl stared unabashedly, then nodded to Athena and murmured “It is a pleasure meeting you, Athena.” Athena replied “A pleasure indeed,” as her eyes held Axelis in a firm grip. “And what brings you here on such a far journey this day?”

“As you have probably noticed, Sharina is a hybrid. Partly Pleiadian, and also Earth human.” He paused to let that sink in. “I wished for her to experience this planet and its people. She has been most curious and inquisitive.”

Athena attempted to gather herself  together and respond with something a bit less than shock and awe. “I see. You are of course most welcome, both of you,” Again, she locked her steely gaze upon Axelis. “We can see that you may experience as much of earthly beings, beauty and beasts as possible on such short notice.”

Axelis smiled gratefully. “That will be excellent. Thank you Athena.” 

Athena returned his smile. “Shall we begin with the stables?”

The Great Workaround or The Other Side of Life

 'Don't be so dense!' Nelida snapped impatiently. 'Dreaming awake should have made you realize that you have, as all women do, a unique capacity to receive knowledge directly.'

Esperanza made a silencing gesture with her hand and said, 'Did you know that one of the basic differences between males and females is how they approach knowledge?'

Slowly and deliberately, she tore off a clean sheet from my notepad and drew two human figures. One head she crowned with a cone and said that it was a man. On the other head, she drew the same cone, but upside down, and said it was a woman.

'Men build knowledge step by step,' she explained, her pencil poised on the figure with a cone. 'Men reach up; they climb toward knowledge. Brujos say that men cone toward spirit; they cone upward to knowledge. This coning process limits men on how far they can reach.'

She looked at me sharply. 'Pay attention,' she warned me and pointed her pencil to the second figure, the one with the inverted cone. 'As you can see, the cone is upside down. open like a funnel.  Women are able to open themselves directly to the source, the source reaches them directly, in the broad base of the cone. Brujas say that women's connection to knowledge is expansive. On the other hand, men's connection is quite restriced.

'Men are close to the concrete,' she said, 'and aim at the abstract. Women, are close to the abstract and yet try to indulge themselves with the concrete.'

Esperanza went on to say that originally women saw no need to exploit their facility to link themselves broadly and directly to the spirit, they saw no necessity to talk about or to intellectualize this natural capacity of theirs, for it was enough for them to put it in action and know they had it.

'Men's incapacity to link themselves directly to the spirit was what drove them to talk about the process of reaching knowledge,' she stressed. 'They haven't stopped talking about it. And it's this insistence on knowing how they drive toward knowledge, this insistence on analyzing the process, that gave them the certainty that being rational is a typically male skill.'

Florinda Donner ~  Being in Dreaming                                   

..................

Q was half Gospel, half diary, one that traced twenty years in the life of a Cynic teacher, Menippus. Like Diogenes -- the father of Cynicism, who walked about with a lantern in broad daylight, looking for an honest man -- Menippus was a wanderer, no purse, no bag, no sandals. 

                                          

He had lived in Sepphoris, not far from Nazareth, then spent several years with the Nozrim ha-Brit, the Essene community at Qumran -- those who had written the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Keepers of the Covenant. But not alone:

Q was nothing less than a history of the lost years of Jesus' life, his development from ages 12 - 30, all transcribed by the pen of a Cynic teacher.

Pearse sat amazed.

To read the sayings in that context created an images of Jesus he had never seen before:

"When you know yourselves then you will be known, and will understand that you are children of the living Father. The task lies within, the journey yours alone..."

"When you make male and female into a single one, that the male will not be male and the female will not be female, then you will enter the kingdom."

"And so will all instruction and teaching, men and women share equally in perfection. In me, there is neither male nor female."

Jonathan Rabb ~ The Book of Q

...................
 Wisdom 7:22b-8:1 is a famous passage describing Divine Wisdom, including the passage: "For she is the breath of the power of God, and a pure influence flowing from the glory of the Almighty: therefore can no defiled thing fall into her. For she is the brightness of the everlasting light, the unspotted mirror of the power of God, and the image of his goodness. And being but one, she can do all things: and remaining in herself, she maketh all things new: and in all ages entering into holy souls, she maketh them friends of God, and prophets." 

Solomon as the archetypal wise person, fell in love with Wisdom: "I loved her, and sought her out from my youth, I desired to make her my spouse, and I was a lover of her beauty." (Wisdom 8.2).

The Book of Wisdom 

--------------------                                        

----------------

"Koje ste religije?" asked the boy.

Pearse was surprised to hear Serbo-Croatian. "I'm a Catholic," he answered in kind.

The boy nodded then pointed to his boots. "Those are good for walking."

Pearse looked at his boots, then at the boy. "Yes.  You don't come from Kosovo, do you?"

"Yeah, Kosovo. Medveda. In the north." 

"Are you a Catholic?" Pearse asked.

"No. Muslim"

"Then why did you want to know my religion?"

The boy straightened up. "When the Protestant priests came to our village to tell us about Jesus, they had lots of money, drove nice cars. The Catholic ones were poor, told us that was the way they were supposed to be." Again he looked at the boots.

Pearse understood. He glanced at the boy's feet, roughly the same size as his own; his shoes with little life left in them. Pearse reached down, untied his laces and tossed the boots across. "How about a trade?"

Jonathan Rabb ~ The Book of Q                                             

-------------

Maurice smiled at Emlyn, seated beside him in his hidden chapel. 'Later we can talk, then we will see, cherie. For now, perhaps we should go back upstairs...I prefer only staying below here when there is someone else above as lookout.'

Em understood.  She helped Maurice snuff the candles and extinguish insence until just the lights behind the stained glass remained.  'And to all a good night,' she intoned, as she mounted the stairway behind him.  'I don't think I've ever felt such a yearning to return to a basement before!'

Maurice laughed low, using only the torch to light their way. 'I know what you mean,' he said, flicking a quick gaze over his shoulder. 'Take care, cherie...we're soon there.'

When they had returned to the ground floor, Emlyn took a seat upon a padded wicker loveseat in the conservatory.  Maurice joined her from the kitchen bearing a tea tray. Em poured for them then sampled slices of apple, grapes and cheese.

'You know,' Maurice began, adding honey and lemon to his tea, 'that the Protestant Reformation took out seven entire books from the bible? I will give you a good Catholique bible, cher. I wouldn't wish you without Wisdom...'

'No, neither would I...' Em frowned. 'I'd heard something about that before. Truly incredible. And so much apogrypha floating about out there as well.' Best not to mention discoveries post-timewalking...for now.

'"Wisdom is glorious, and never fadeth away, and is easily seen by them that love her, and is found by them that seek her..."' Maurice bent to murmur into Emlyn's ear.

Em smiled. 'Sounds to me like Solomon's Song of Songs...' she said, turning to him as she blushed slightly under the spell of Solomon.

'It is attributed to that sage personage,' Maurice replied, putting an arm behind her on the sofa.   'In order, it follows the Canticle of Canticles.' He toyed with a strand of her hair, and bent to kiss her cheek. '"My beloved is gone down into his garden, to the bed of aromatical spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies..."' Maurice plucked a fat purple grape and fed Emlyn whilst he further recited, '"I to my beloved, and my beloved to me, who feedeth among the lilies.'"

'Now, that, is definitely Solomon...' Em inclined her neck backwards as Maurice lightly bestowed breathy kisses upon it. 

'And so it is, ma cherie.' He grinned as he broke a stem of grapes and snapped one into his mouth. 'I will give you the Douay-Rheims version. It was written from the 15-to-1600s at the English college in Rheims and Douay.'

                                     

'The English college? In France...' Em thought, pausing a moment, as she regarded Maurice. 'As part of the Counter-Reformation...'

'Mais oui. The English Reformation was brutal, non? They still have the old houses with the "priest holes". ' He frowned. 'True, the church owned much land then, and it was farmed and worked by the common folk. But, it was usually a fairly equitable exchange: come the harvest, a portion went to the cathedral and minster, and also the farmers had the fruit of their labors.

Maurice continued: 'To be sure, much of the corruption in the hierarchy needed change. Not altogether a bad thing. But apres' Luther, the land went to whatever nobility owned property in the district. The nobels did not have even the conscience or charity of the church. "None for all, and All for Me!' Hence, the Peasant's Revolt. Both in England and Austria.

He sighed. 'Catholics in that time needed to try to save their culture, as well as faith.' Maurice sighed softly. 'I am Canadian. But, I am French-Canadian. Very much so.'

Emlyn was very glad of that. She regarded this intriguing man sitting beside her, a mixture of sage and swain, Plato and Paris...  

'No, the aristocracy never does feel much in the way of compassion towards the poor.' Em agreed. 'As long as people can get away with ignoring them, so they will.' She sunk into that dark thought, considering Kidd, the pirate prince, and his machinations.

'A franc for your thoughts, cherie,' Maurice sat back, noticing Em's ardent concentration.

'You are an enigma to me, at times, I admit,' she replied. 'But I am becoming used to it, the better I know you.' She paused, sipping tea, and decided on a different tack. 'If you must know...I was  surprised by your sangfroid at Gwydion's absurd apparition.'

Maurice huffed softly and smiled. 'A very minor player in a very large arena,  cherie ange.' 

Em was tres' pleased at being referred to as 'angel'.  However, she strayed not far from what plagued her mind of late. 'True. However...I was thinking about something Shannon and I had discovered recently. This also relates to your nephew Alain.'

Maurice sat up pouring more tea. 'I am listening.'

'When we returned home, to Arcadia, I found an old friend of mine, Jethro,  who proceeded to enlist Alain in helping him work a job at which he was employed for Kidd; that is, Alexander Kidd, the pirate's descendant, supposedly.' Em waved away that particular conceit. 'Anyway, Jethro has, on his property, some rather large and deep caves back in the once-volcanic foothills of the Sierra. As you may guess, these are populated by legions of bats.'

'Ah.' Maurice was intrigued. 'Go on.'

'Well, it seems that Kidd had discovered this unfortunately well-known fact about Jethro's farm, due, naturally to Jethro having such a large and mobile mouth...' Em scowled at the thought, and continued: 'Anyway, in short, Kidd is now employing Alain and Jethro to mine the caves for guano, for him. Exactly what for, we aren't sure. But it cannot be anything bon, no?'

Maurice frowned then as well, lying back against the couch. 'I see what you mean. This Kidd, he has the crazy plans to enlist timewalking in changing history, oui? It would seem that those plans are shaping up into something rather explosive...'

Emlyn nodded. 'Shannon set Alain and Jethro the task to find out more about this, if possible, quietly and cautiously.' As Em thought about it, the more agitated her thoughts became. She set down her tea. 'I really should return. I am worried about them, about Jeanne, and this whole mad enterprise!'

Maurice stood with her, taking her hand. 'Of course, cherie. And I would like to come with you...'

Emlyn thought then about Maurice and Jethro. Two strange bulldogs going head - to - head... 'Ah, no...that would not help. Not at this time. It isn't easy to get information out of Kidd, or Jethro either. Probably nothing is forthcoming as yet. But I feel I need to be there, to keep an ear open for what may be coming.'

Maurice seemed to intuit what exactly was going on. 'A bit of intrigue, eh?' He put his arms about Emlyn. 'I understand, ma belle. But keep close watch upon Alain, eh? For me?'

'Of course! I can't let anything happen to our finest fiddle player in the county.' She arose on toes and gave Maurice a farewell kiss. 'I will keep you apprised. It's early days yet.'

Maurice took her hand. 'You WILL be very careful, now.' His eyes searched hers. 'No taking chances! I cannot lose you now when we have only just met.'

'I feel I have known you forever...' Em assured him. A final fierce embrace, and then she blew her amour a farewell kiss and was - gone.

Maurice found himself alone, again. 'These American girls, always coming and going! Mostly going...'                                      

.......................

'About time you got here! Where have you been?' Shannon did not await Emlyn's reply but took her arm and bustled her off, closing and locking the shop door after her.

'Alain is back, with news.' She continued, frowning. 'I only know a wee bit of it, but I will let him tell it.'

They hustled down the street past the greensward that served as a park for Arcadia, and down to that hub of news, gossip and commerce of questionable sorts that was The Bear tavern.                                                  

A fine day spilled a few outside upon scattered rough hewn tables and benches and this was where Alain sat alone at a bench leaning against a spreading oak and slowly sipping a dark brew from his own glass-bottomed pewter mug.

He stood when he spied Em and Shannon in view and waved them over. As Alain and Shannon became intertwined, Em muttered sommat about seeing to refreshments and betook herself inside.

She soom returned with a pitcher of  porter and pasties for all.                                            

'Ta, Em!' Shannon spun round and began to pour.' Em smiled knowing as she did that food and spirits would be needed to distract her from Alain, who smiled and lifted his mug to her. 'Merci Em! I must admit I was feeling the hole in the belly.'

'Cheers!' Em toasted. 'And where's Jethro then?'

'Ah, that...' Alain shook his head. 'I best be telling you all.'

'Indeed,' Em said, knowing Jethro this would not be an easy discourse. She began fortifying herself with pastie.

'It is like this,' Alain began, 'we worked some days with the mining...' he made a face of distaste, coughed rattlingly,  and gulped some brew '...which did not sit well with me. '

'Mon poor cherie, he fell ill from the fumes.' Shannon patted his shoulder in sympathy.

'Oui. So I returned before Jethro. After a day of clearing my head, I was feeling more the thing. Then Jethro passed through town, with a wagon full of guano...' Again, Alain's face contorted miserably. 'Covered, of course, but there is no mistaking that smell.' He shook his head as if to shake off the stench. 'This was driven by none other than Kidd himself, who had outriders, armed with rifles alongside.' 

Emlyn was not happy with this news. 'Go on.'

Alain sighed, and continued. 'They stopped here, at The Bear, and had an early lunch, then kept going. I didn't get to talk to Jethro much, Kidd kept a heavy eye on everyone and didn't let anyone else talk at all. But, I did find out a bit of Kidd's plan.'

'Yes? Tell us, man!' Shannon was as keen as Em for an end to this tale.

Alain smiled an inch. 'Yes. So, Jethro allowed as to how Kidd has a notion to, eh, "manufacture" a sort of bat-bomb and then to ferry them down the Potomac River, to Washington.'

Shannon choked on her beer, coughing. Alain patted her back. Emlyn was frozen in stupification at this elucidation.

Shannon shook her head, waving it all away. 'No, that does not even make sense! How to transport bat dung cross-country? Unless...' Her eyes went alarmingly to Em's. 'You don't think she would try to use the time trails to transport batcrap for the sake of Freedom and Justice For All?

Em's face fell and hit the dirt. 'Oh, Shannon, but I do. I fear just that.'                                        

 CLICK BELOW TO LISTEN:Marvin Gaye What's Going On?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDK7TiEiMOI

.......................

        

Secrets Hidden Are Well Known

 "I'm neither a scholar nor historian. I'm a storyteller, and I haven't told you the most important part of my tale yet."

"And what might that be?" I asked, intrigued...

"All I've given you is factual information," she said. "What I haven't mentioned is the world of magic from which those Yaqui leaders operated. To them, the actions of wind and shadows, of animals and plants were as important as the doings of men..."

Florinda Donner ~ Being In Dreaming

..............

In other words, Peter was at the head of the exoteric "level" designed for the population at large; St.John was literally at the heart of the esoteric teachings...which were reserved to an elite. Which reminds us of the School of Pythagoras, which also had three levels of adepts: the "listeners" who were taught the moral principles of charity; the "cenobites" who learned the philosophy of communal life; and finally the "mystes", or true initiates, to whom the Mysteries were revealed...

In the Gospel of Mary, the text reinforces a conflict between Peter and Mary Magdalene, a separation of thought, so to speak...Peter, with Andrew represents the the orthodoxy of the church characterized by its exotericism and its denial of visionary revelation, particularly to women; Mary Magdalene (with Levi) represents esotericism the 'ongoing process of revelation'.

Francine Bernier ~ 

The Templars' Legacy in Montreal, The New Jerusalem

.................

Notre Dame de Paris, in particular, is a curious specimen... Not even the Hermetics fail to find in the symbols of the grand doorway a satisfactory compendium of their science of which the Church of St.Jacques-de-la-Boucherie was so complete a hieroglyph. Thus the Roman Abbey - the Church of the Mystics - Gothic art - Saxon art - the alchemistic symbolism by which Nicolas Flamel paved the way...all are blended, combined, amalgamated in Notre Dame. 

This generative Mother-Church is, among the other ancient churches of Paris, a sort of Chimera: she has the head of one, the limbs of another, the body of a third -- something for all.

Victor-Marie Hugo - NOTRE DAME DE PARIS

                                          

......................,

Emlyn stood at the top of the long dark stairway leading down into the cellar. Stone archway, well-worn stone steps beneath. She was not of a mind to venture forth upon them.

'Well, cher Emmeline...you wished to know my secrets, did you not?' And Maurice sighed.

Em stole a glance at him. 'I don't know, now, that I do,' she admitted.

Maurice nodded, and disappeared behind a corner. When he reappeared, he was carrying a lighted torch. Tres' gothique, thought Em to herself. All we need now is a full moon and the howling of wolves...

'Come. Ma cherie, there is nothing to fear, I promise you. I only wish for us to have no secrets between us.' He put an arm about her waist. 'I will hold on to you, never fear.'

Oh, is this where my luck runs out at last? Em had that brief query on her mind as she, with Maurice's strong grip about her, took her first step downward, into...what, truly?                                             

.....................

'Ah. We meet again.' Daryl had arrived at long last, back to Athena's cottage. And once more faced a stone-faced Wolf Star who had opened the door to him, somewhat reluctantly.

'Who is it...?' Luckily, Daryl heard Athena call from inside.  

Wolf Star grunted and grudgingly stepped aside, allowing Daryl entrance. 

'Tis I...a rolling stone gathers remorse, as they say...' Daryl bent to remove his boots before entering the hallway.  He took off his broad brimmed hat as Athena appeared. 'My dear. It is so good to see you. Both.' His gaze included Wolf Star who still looked hatchets and arrows his way.

Athena smiled, genuinely glad to behold her old friend. 'It has been a while.' She reached over to embrace him, studying him closely. 'You walked here?' She released him then and hung up his hat and helped him remove his coat as Daryl set down his meager belongings.

'Ha. Oh, yes. Quite a surprise I found on the trail. You'll never guess who I ran into, in the middle of the woods...'

'First, do come in, cheri and have something hot! There's stew on the stove...' She ushered Daryl into her parlour which he knew so well. Seated before the welcoming fire, Daryl sighed and looked about him, relieved to find not much had changed. Athena remained his good friend whilst Wolf Star wished him garroted and gone, no doubt...

Well, changing his mind could take a little time. Which Daryl now had. 

'Here.' Athena set a tray before them upon her well-worn pirate's chest which served as tea table. Daryl's senses perked up at the scent of a well-seasoned home-cooked stew with freshly baked rye rolls. 

'Now, you can tell your tale while you warm up.' Athena sat beside him while Wolf Star prowled about the room, poking the fire and finally seating himself in the hearth chair.

Daryl nodded, mouth full of stew at the moment. 'How I have missed your stews...this is by far the tenderest meat I've tasted!' He broke open a roll and dipped it into the thick soup.

Athena looked at Wolf Star. 'It's a bison stew,' she informed him. 'Wolf Star brought it from his last hunt. He has been beyond the Great Lakes region and did some hunting on native land near there.'

                                                

Daryl's ears pricked up at this news.  'Wolf Star, you went bison hunting? On your own?'

Wolf Star took his time answering. At last he bent forward and taking another log, added it to the fire. 'No. I was not alone,' he allowed. Daryl waited as Wolf Star sat back, thinking. 'I was with  brothers and uncles of the Chippewaw, Fox and Sioux nations. It was a large hunt, some came from many miles away.' He paused, deep in thought. 'It could be our last hunt for some time. But, winter draws near.'

Daryl finished his stew and bowed his head. 'My thanks to the great bison who gave their lives for our winter stores.' Daryl remained silent for a space. Silence all around, except for the crackle and hiss of the fire. 

At last Daryl spoke. 'I wished to speak with you, Wolf Star, about an important matter. It is a matter of land.' He looked at the Indian before him who sat still as a stone, consumed with his own thoughts, some surely about Daryl, and not so pleasant.

Wolf Star sighed. 'Speak.'

Daryl sat forward, beginning: 'I have much land here, several hundred acres or more. I have been given leave to dispose of it as I will. I wished to talk with you about this. I want to return the land to the people. To your people, the people who first lived on this land. The First Nations.'

Wolf Star actually met Daryl's gaze then.  Still, he said nothing.

'I know you probably are a bit cautious when dealing with whites, and especially, perhaps, with me in particular...' Daryl continued. 'But,' he looked at Athena who remained composed and silent beside him, 'I assure you, it is truth. There are, however, some things about this property that you will want to know.'

'Daryl...' Athena began, 'are you sure about this?'

'I'm sure.' Daryl smiled at her. 'You know  who I met on the trail here? None other than Yeats, looking the spit-image of Gandalf!'

'Mr. Yeats! Indeed?' Athena stared in wonder. '...And?'

'And, he said I may travel now, I am free from my bonds. However, I must never travel alone...'

'By this you mean, to walk the time trails?' Wolf Star put in.

'Yes, exactly.' Daryl addressed Wolf Star, leaning his way. 'You see, these lands are beyond time. They exist in-between. They are...out of the reach of people who live in Time. You would be protected there, always. Away from, well, away from white men. '

Wolf Star's eyes reflected his own wonder. He then narrowed his gaze. 'This is true?' He looked to Athena, who nodded. 'Across the pipe, you swear this?' He asked Daryl.

'Across the pipe, I do swear it.' Daryl assurred him.  Then inhaled. 'There is one caveat, however...the house itself. The house must be kept as it is, in case of need. There are people, like Athena, and Emlyn, whom I would also wish to protect. And they should be able to find refuge in the house, when needed.'

Wolf Star sat back, thinking. 'If we could once more camp in these lands without harrassment...who has need of the White House...?' he murmured to himself. 'I will think on this. There are many true-hearted brothers I would willingly share this news with. However, there are also those who are of the blood, who are not true to it. These, we would keep out.' He nodded to himself. 'I'll need some time to ponder on this.'

Daryl sat back at last, glad to have put his plan to action. 'Take all the time you wish. Time, for us, is no longer a concern.'

                                                  

...................

With Maurice's help, Emlyn gingerly made her way down the stone stairway to whatever awaited below. At last, Maurice stopped as they reached the cellar floor. 'Wait here,' he told her as he took away the torch and began lighting whatever candles, sconces were scattered about.

Slowly, the dim shadows of below came to life; a candelabra upon a high shelf, a pair of torches upon the wall across from her, and two tall candles which stood before them, on either side of what seemed to be...an altar of some kind...

'One moment...' Maurice murmured, as he pressed a knob on the side of the altar, revealing a beauteous stained glass Tree of Life, somehow lighted from behind.

                                               

Em gasped in wonder at the intricate design and marvellous colors suddenly sprung to life in the midst of shadows. Slowly she advanced, amazed as Maurice continued around the room, lighting more candles and what appeared to be a menorah. But now Em could make out statues as well, beautifully carved in wood...paintings in luscious colors...

'But, Maurice, this is all so lovely!' Emlyn wondered at the mix of esoterica all round. 'The kabbalah, the menorah...is this a combination of Judaism with Hermeticism? It is, well, not strictly Catholic, is it?'

Maurice smiled at her and slowly shook his head. 'And, of course, there's this...' He then strode to the back of the room and again, with the flip of a switch, another beauteous stained glass painting appeared out of obscurity. 

                                                   

 

Stephen Adam 1908  - Kilmore Church Isle of Mull

'This is Jesus with Mary Magdalene; she was to be the apostle who would continue the great work, in Beauty, Truth and Wisdom. Not with the hardness of Peter, the 'rock' who would  hammer out his narrow interpretations upon people's heads! Non, non...'

Maurice led Em to a low upholstered bench and bid her be seated before the window. 'It is beautiful, is it not?' He asked. 'Beauty is Truth and Truth Beauty. We come here to meditate, and to spend some time apart from the world, which can be so harsh and full of condemnation. Jews, Catholics, Gnostics, Freemasons all...and more. All are welcome. 

 'I am now the keeper of this place, somewhere safe, free and protected from those of small minds who would impose their prejudices upon others. There is much in the old city of Montreal that would prove many of our founders came here to escape the iron grip of the Old World.' Maurice paused, gazing about him. ;...The Old Country, with all of its deceit and narrow condemnations.'

  'But, I fear that I may have to give up my guardianship. There are...rumours, about. Either I must leave, or find some other place, somewhere safer, that lies outside of the reach of the black hand of those who would strangle our freedom.'

'Maurice, this is wonderful, what you have created here, a safe haven of such peace. It would be a terrible thing to have this threatened.' Emlyn knew she had nothing to fear from this man, now or ever. She also knew...that she might know of just such a safe haven. A place beyond the reach of Time itself.

'I might be able to help you...if you like,' Em began, thinking quickly. 

CLICK BELOW TO LISTEN. Norah Jones: Come Away With Me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRHTXFIKfFs